Workers urged to harness data for improved healthcare

DODOMA: MEDICAL practitioners in Dodoma have been called upon to harness the power of data to improve healthcare delivery and decisionmaking.

The call was made by Kaspar Mmuya, Dodoma Regional Administrative Secretary (RAS), during the opening of a capacity-building training for health workers in the region.

The training, organised by the Health Information Systems Programme (HISP) Tanzania, focused on improving participants’ skills in collecting, processing and utilising health data accurately.

The goal was to enhance healthcare services in their respective areas. HISP Tanzania is implementing the District of Excellence (DoE) initiative in Dodoma City and Bahi District Council. The project aims to improve data management and utilisation at the subnational level.

According to Dr Wilfred Senyoni, HISP Tanzania’s Project Director, the initiative focuses on four key areas: data management, digital innovation, capacity building and research.

In collaboration with regional, district and facility teams, the DoE project ensures that its goals are achieved through a cooperative approach, translating insights into real-world applications for impactful outcomes.

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At the capacity-building training, Dr Senyoni emphasised the importance of effective health data usage in supporting informed decision-making and planning in the health sector.

He stated, “This training is a vital step in ensuring our health workers are equipped to leverage new technologies and modern methods in health data processing.”

During the event, Dodoma RAS Mmuya welcomed the initiative and urged participants to make the most of data usage in their work.

He also stressed the need for health workers to adopt a professional approach in their duties, citing the importance of integrity and avoiding corrupt practices that tarnish the image of healthcare providers.

Additionally, he encouraged health workers to embrace paperless technology for collecting health data, aligning with modern practices for efficient information management.

The Ministry of Health has been using the District Health Information Software (DHIS2) as the national health management information system (HMIS) since 2010.

DHIS2 is used to capture and manage health data efficiently, with data collected directly from healthcare facilities or at the district level.