Best Practices for Implementing Electronic Disease Surveillance Systems in Resources-constrained Settings

Authors

  • Carmen C. Mundaca Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
  • Vivek Singh Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabed, Andhra Pradesh, India
  • Kayumba Kizito Voxiva SARL , Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda
  • Julie Pavlin Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Silver Spring, MD, United States

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v6i1.5050

Abstract

The panel will seek active discussion on successful and unsuccessful experiences using electronic tools to implement disease surveillance systems in developing countries. The scope of the discussion could include technical, financial, and social determinants for a positive outcome of the implementation process. These determinants and factors will also be reviewed for different levels of disease surveillance systems. A primary goal is to revise, refine and validate the presented model based on agreements or disagreements. Potential countries where this model can be further tested will also be sought.

Author Biographies

Carmen C. Mundaca, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States

Dr. Cecilia Mundaca has recently earned her DrPH degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, MD. Her dissertation work focused on developing a framework that will serve as a guideline for the implementation of disease surveillance systems in developing countries. She capitalized on the knowledge and experience gained in her home country in Peru to contribute on developing her thesis work. She was employed as the Head of the Surveillance Center of the Emerging Infections Program in the US NAMRU-6 in Peru. In that role Dr. Mundaca led the successful implementation of a technology-based disease surveillance system (Alerta) at sites across the nation and initiated its broad adoption in five other countries in South America.

Vivek Singh, Indian Institute of Public Health, Hyderabed, Andhra Pradesh, India

Dr. Vivek Singh is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH), Hyderabad. He is a graduate of Government Medical College in Nagpur, MH, India and Emory University in Atlanta, GA, USA. He has recently completed working on a Wellcome Trust-sponsored PHFI-UKC research fellowship on disease surveillance core capacity assessment in Andhra Pradesh in India. This work has direct relevant with country's compliance with the core capacity requirements of the International Health regulations (2005).

Kayumba Kizito, Voxiva SARL , Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda

Dr. Kizito Kayumba is a medical doctor specialized in epidemiology, HIV care and treatment, and field research. Working with Voxiva as TRACnet project director from 2009 to date, Dr Kayumba extended his trainings and experience to the applied technology. TRACnet is a nationwide health information system using web, phone and SMS channels to support decision making in Rwanda. Dr Kayumba led the technology design and successful national roll out for electronic monitoring of all the HIV services. He further coordinated the design and implementation of the electronic integrated disease surveillance and response system to monitor 23 priority diseases under surveillance in Rwanda.

Julie Pavlin, Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Silver Spring, MD, United States

Dr. Julie Pavlin, moderator of this session, is the Deputy Director of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center. She was a co-developer and is the current functional proponent of the DoD syndromic surveillance program ESSENCE, and also has experience implementing surveillance programs in international locations.

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Published

2014-03-09

How to Cite

Mundaca, C. C., Singh, V., Kizito, K., & Pavlin, J. (2014). Best Practices for Implementing Electronic Disease Surveillance Systems in Resources-constrained Settings. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v6i1.5050

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Section

Panel Presentations