December 21, 2024
Haramaya University’s Capacity Building and Mentorship Project (CBMP) hosted a half-day review meeting, gathering key stakeholders from the Ministry of Health, regional health bureaus, consortium universities, and partners. The event focused on assessing progress, sharing insights, and strategizing for the continued advancement of health information systems (HIS) in Ethiopia.
Dr. Abdi Amin opened the session, emphasizing the critical role of leadership in HIS performance and the life-saving potential of quality data in decision-making. Following this, Mr. Tilahun Shiferaw, Director of the CBMP Project, presented key achievements, including the training of 114 health workers in digital health interventions, data quality improvement, and HIS leadership. The establishment of the Ethiopian HIS Females Network was also highlighted, marking a significant step toward gender inclusivity and capacity building in the sector.
The session also featured Haramaya University’s designation as a Center of Excellence in EMR implementation, supported by USAID sub-grants. Progress in transforming Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital into a learning site for HIS improvements was discussed, showcasing a sustainable, incremental approach to EMR adoption and capacity building.
Panel discussions during the meeting explored leadership in HIS, disease data quality, monitoring and evaluation, and digital health system usability. Participants provided actionable insights, reinforcing the importance of accountability, continuous capacity building, and collaborative efforts in addressing challenges like IT staff shortages and resistance to data ownership.
The meeting concluded with poster presentations and reflections from participants, reaffirming the collective commitment to strengthening Ethiopia’s health information systems. CBMP expresses its gratitude to all stakeholders for their dedication and partnership in driving impactful change across the health sector
