Determined to protect people’s lives and livelihoods from public health threats posed by epidemic-prone diseases such as measles, diphtheria, malaria, dengue, influenza, and other pathogens, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services conducted a workshop aimed at bolstering the capacity of the nation's syndromic and national surveillance officers.
Supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office in the Solomon Islands, 30 syndromic surveillance officers (SSOs) from 23 sentinel sites located in health facilities of all provinces in the country gathered in Honiara from 18-21 November to learn how to enter, process, analyze, and interpret data in DHIS2, an open source, web-based platform most used as a health management information system (HMIS).
“We are very impressed by the commitment and competence shown by our syndromic surveillance officers and national surveillance officers throughout this workshop,” said Dr Nemia Bainivalu, Ministry of Health and Medical Services Deputy Secretary for Health Improvement. “The valuable skills that were imparted during the workshop will help our country respond effectively to threats to everyone’s health and well-being, especially now when dangers to public health can come in many forms and during unforeseen times.”
Also providing support during the workshop were representatives from the Public Health Emergency and Surveillance Unit (PHESU), Ms Rebecca Manelase, Chief Medical Statistician of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Ms Alison Ripiapu, Manager of PHESU, Ms Cynthia Joshua, Surveillance National Coordinator, and WHO.
Enhancing public health surveillance and response capacity
The training aimed to enhance the capacity of the PHESU and provincial syndromic surveillance focal points’ skills in data collection, validation, analysis, and presentation. It focused on improving early detection, response, and effective management of public health emergencies within and beyond Solomon Islands, while fostering innovations such as, but not limited to, disease forecasting, triangulation with weather data, and automation of real time alerts. The outcomes of the training will benefit the health security of Solomon Islands and neighboring Pacific countries.
The four-day training engaged SSOs and national surveillance officers in public health and event-based surveillance exercises, investigations, and practical sessions on data entry and interpretation. Interactive sessions, group discussions and tabletop exercises enhanced their understanding of the DHIS2 system and its use in syndromic surveillance.
What is public health surveillance and why is it important?
Public health surveillance is the on-going systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data. It includes the timely dissemination of the collected, collated and analyzed information to those who need them for action related to controlling a disease outbreak. Surveillance is also essential for planning, implementation, and evaluation of public health practice.
When linked to policy and programme units, data from surveillance systems improves the efficiency and effectiveness of health systems. It can be used to estimate the health status and behaviour of the populations served by ministries of health, ministries of finance, and donors.
About DHIS2
DHIS2 is the world’s largest HMIS platform, used by 80 low- and middle-income countries. Approximately 3.2 billion people live in countries where DHIS2 is used. The DHIS2 platform boasts data warehousing, visualization features, and the possibility for data users and policy makers to generate analysis from live data in real-time.
Better equipped to respond
By leveraging digital technology and engaging adequate provincial focal points, this initiative has the potential to strengthen public health surveillance systems and enhance emergency response capabilities.
The training not only enhanced participants’ skills but also promoted collaboration and information sharing among the Ministry of Health National Public Health Emergency and Surveillance Unit, Provincial Health Departments, especially the nurses from the provinces who also function as surveillance officers and were brought to Honiara, and WHO. This milestone supports ongoing efforts to constantly improve public health outcomes and community resilience in the Solomon Islands.
30 syndromic surveillance officers from 23 sentinel sites located in health facilities of all provinces in the Solomon Islands learned how to enter, process, analyze, & interpret data in DHIS2, an open source, health management information system. (HMIS).
Credit: © WHO/V. Carbalho