By Bill W. Cooper
The Government, through the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) has officially received the Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR) system from a coalition of international partners.
This innovative system is set to revolutionize how health data is collected, analyzed, and utilized in the country, particularly in the wake of the lessons learned from the Ebola outbreak and the ongoing challenges posed by various infectious diseases.
The eIDSR system, was developed by Mwetana Consulting and Technology Group through the International Rescue Committee (IRC) with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The eIDSR is aimed at strengthening Liberia’s ability to detect, respond to, and manage disease outbreaks, as well as designed to provide real-time data on disease trends, enabling health authorities to make informed decisions and implement timely interventions.
Public health surveillance is a critical component of any health system, particularly in countries like Liberia, which has faced significant health challenges over the years especially, since the civil war.
The Ebola outbreak of 2014-2016 exposed the weaknesses in the country’s health infrastructure and highlighted the urgent need for improved surveillance and response mechanisms amidst the outbreak of the Monkeypox virus (Mpox) disease in Liberia.
Officially turning over the manual to the Government, both IRC and USAID representatives thanked the government for the collaboration and support in making sure the developing of the platform is successful.
Mrs. Diana B. Makekodunmi from the IRC noted that the eIDSR system is designed to address these gaps by integrating various data sources, including health facility reports, laboratory results, and community health worker inputs.
This comprehensive approach, she added, “allows for a more accurate picture of the health landscape in Liberia, enabling authorities to identify potential outbreaks before they escalate.”
According to her, the eIDSR system boasts several key features that set it apart from traditional surveillance methods, one of which is the significant advancements in its electronic data collection and reporting capabilities.
Dr. Makekodunmi added that Health workers can now input data directly into the system using mobile devices, reducing the time it takes to compile and analyze information.
While Dr. Armando Cotrina from the USAID furthered that the eIDSR will allow health officials to quickly assess the situation and allocate resources where they are needed most.
He added that the system also supports data sharing among various stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international partners, fostering collaboration in public health efforts.
Officially receiving the manual, Assistant Health Minister for Vital Statistics, Dr. Anthony L. Fortune, said this electronic system is designed to significantly improve public health surveillance by enhancing real-time case notification and data flow across all levels of the human and animal health systems.
According to him, the elDSR system is geared towards early detection, notification, and reporting of priority disease health issues and effective, timely response to disease potential outbreaks and other health emergencies.
He added that the eIDSR was successfully piloted in Grand Kru and River Gee counties, demonstrating its user-friendliness and effectiveness in real-time reporting.
Also making remarks, the Director of NPHIL, Dr. Dugbeh Chris Nyan expressed his gratitude to the international partners for their unwavering support, and asserted, “The eIDSR system is a game-changer for our public health infrastructure.”
“It will enhance our ability to monitor diseases, respond to outbreaks, and ultimately save lives, because investing in our health workforce is just as crucial as investing in technology”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the elDSR, chaired by NPHIL and co-chaired by MOH with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) as a member, has all been instrumental in the project success.
The TWG, with technical and financial support from USAID, the World Bank’s Regional Disease Surveillance System Enhancement (REDISSE), the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (US-CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), IRC and other stakeholders, has successfully guided the development and testing of the system.
The Infrastructural development of this system marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s efforts to enhance its public health surveillance and response capabilities electronically.
