The World Health Organization (WHO) declared that polio is a public health emergency of international concern – requiring implementation of four proven strategies: strong routine immunization, supplemental immunization activity, mop up activities and strong surveillance for disease. In addition, WHO called for increased accountability through close monitoring of selected priority activities, in order to improve performance.
WHO’s Polio Program has used Magpi mobile data collection in multiple countries for years, and in Nigeria the polio program documented how it utilized Magpi real-time data as a tool for improving performance. Sisay G. Tegegne and co-investigators documented their groundbreaking work in 2016 in a supplemental article in the the Journal of Infectious Diseases (link to full article below).
Improved active case searching in Nigeria health facilities monitored using Magpi
Improved Program Performance, Staff Performance
Throughout 2014, WHO staff were monitored throughout Nigeria using Magpi for key performance indicators, and combined this real-time data with data from the AFP database and from supplemental immunization activities (SIA). The data were used to evaluate staff, provide feedback, and otherwise drive to increased performance. Over 2014, WHO “evaluated changes in health program outcomes, as well as individual staff performance” using Magpi and the other data sources.
The “accountability framework” achieved in this way clearly helped to drive program improvements:
“The increase in the proportion of staff who achieved all indicators revealed the importance of feedback during implementation of the accountability. The feedback communicated through in-depth discussion of each performance indicator with each individual helped to develop confidence among the staff and management . . . the systematic implementation of an accountability framework in Nigeria and its influence on improving program performance is one of the best practices in polio legacy activities.”
Remarkably, WHO was able to achieve these improvements, and implement their real-time data system, with no programmers or technicians – taking advantage of Magpi’s simplicity to achieve impressive results and keep costs low.
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