Digital SMC Implementation in The Gambia Huja Jah ACCESS-SMC Project Manager 19 th January

Why Go Digital? Higher quality and more complete data availability because the data is collected directly from local respondents. This enables better cross-sections of information and information comparisons. Use of real-time or near real-time data to make decisions so that the use of out of date data eliminated. Everyone is making decision on the same data. Real-time data enables better decision-making, adaptive management, and improved allocation of limited resources. Greater data security and archiving, which is especially important for ensuring data transparency and conducting data audits. 2

3 The Registry Book

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THE DIGITAL PATHWAY FOR ACCESS-SMC IN THE GAMBIA

Digital Backbone for Distribution and Commodities Tracking 6

Tracking Beneficiaries, Drugs & Reporting Results — The eValuate platform tracks SMC beneficiary distribution and can also be used for MEAL purposes while also give information in the Supply Chain system to track the distribution of drugs from the Health Center to Community Health Worker(s), and from Community Health Worker(s) to beneficiaries as well as to track any immediate adverse drug reactions. — The NetSuite system tracks the distribution of drugs from the Central Medical Stores to the Health Center level. — We can integrate this data through eValuate to generate a reporting template with specific HF-level variables to satisfy the M&E indicators and port into the Malaria Consortium general database managed by LSHTM. — We will also utilize this data from eValuate/ NetSuite to produce CRS special reports on malaria trends across the ACCESS-SMC countries 7

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TAKING A LOOK AT THE GAMBIA

Why was The Gambia Ripe for Digital SMC Implementation? —Utilized digital collection method/ devices for LLIN mass campaign. —Using eValuate as MEAL platform. —CP was ready to utilize existing devices for SMC implementation. 10

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12 ACCESS-SMC in The Gambia Where is SMC being delivered? ―In 2015, ACCESS-SMC is supporting The Gambia’s NMCP to administer SMC to 90,925 children in Upper and Central River Regions of the country. When is SMC delivered? ―In The Gambia, SMC is administered to children from August, with monthly distributions continuing until November. How is SMC managed in The Gambia? ―ACCESS-SMC is providing technical, financial and logistical support to the NMCP and regional health teams for them to lead the roll out of SMC. This support covers topics such as planning, health worker training and supervision, managing the supply chain and sensitizing communities on SMC.

13 ACCESS-SMC in The Gambia Cont’d How is SMC delivered?  In The Gambia, SMC is delivered by 291 teams working for five days per month (a ‘cycle’). Each team consists of 1 Community Health Worker (CHW) and 1 Data Collector.  ‘Door-to-door’ strategy is used for SMC delivery, with teams visiting each household with eligible children to administer SMC drugs. Within the team, the CHW is responsible for administering the drug to the child, with record keeping being the responsibility of the data collector.  Digital collection via eValuate (beneficiary data) and NetSuite (Commodities data)

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15 Learning Points ―Use Simple Technology: Android devices can capture rich data like photos or GIS coordinates and are cheaper than iPads. Don’t let the technology drive program design. ―Select Best Users and Train Extensively: Apply Best User standards when selecting data collectors. Train, Train, Train! ―Strengthen HF/ District level Supervision: Apply a Digital Process to Supervision/ Verification processes to ensure data quality. ―Check Early For Bad Data Bad data is unavoidable, but can often remedied by making small changes in questions, outreach channels, or analysis tools. Budget extra time to check raw data in the first iterations of data collection to check for duplicates, obviously wrong entries, and other potential issues. Consider data validity spot checks, where a team checks if the reported data matches observations in the field.

16 Learning Points Cont’d ―Syncing Data in Rural Health Districts with limited cellular capacity will be challenge – the expectation needs to be near real time data and an off-line tally compensate for this.

2016 PLANNING

18 Key Next Steps: Digital SMC Implementation Plan for The Gambia - Continue to use digital data collection method - Increase the number of devices to allow for a simultaneous implementation of SMC in The Gambia - Explore the possibility of the use of a mixed device data gathering system (the use of iPads in one region and possibly android devices in the other for cost savings). - Work with Cell company to boost bandwidth in areas where we implement during the SMC cycles to ensure the iPads can sync the data while in the field

Key Next Steps: Digital Transition Plan for Niger, Mali & Guinea — Migration of 2015 beneficiary data into eValuate for Niger, Mali & Guinea – by Mar 2016 — Digital Registration of Health Facilities and Staff in Niger, Mali and Guinea – by April 2016 — All EOC Reporting one through Zoho in 2016 — Full digital data collection in Niger utilizing android devices across all XX HDs — Digital data collection pilots (from C-1 – C-4) in Mali & Guinea — Closer collaboration and regular bi-lingual tech support from GKIM through the ICT4D Advisor based in Burkina — Contiued eValuate and NetSuite integration 19

THANK YOU