Implementation of an Electronic Community Health Information System and research lessons

Authors: Anthony Nuwa

Malaria Consortium has worked with the Ugandan Ministry of Health to develop and implement a digital tool to enhance service provision and surveillance of integrated community case management.

The Electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) incorporates a digital tool that assists community health workers with case management for reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health, as well as HIV and tuberculosis, and provides support tools for nutrition and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). eCHIS was developed and implemented by Malaria Consortium in collaboration with the Ugandan Ministry of Health and is the only community mobile health tool endorsed for use in Uganda.

eCHIS includes modules for iCCM, stock management and supervision. During phase 1 implementation in Buikwe district, acceptability, feasibility and usability of the digital tool was evaluated through interviews with community health workers. The impact of digitalisation on child health indicators was assessed by comparing outpatient visits and hospital admissions for malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia at 20 health facilities in the intervention district (Buikwe), with those from 20 health facilities in the control district (Kayunga). Impact on malaria-related mortality was also evaluated. 

This presentation was given at the Global Digital Health Conference 2023.