30 July 2018 – On 28 July, 2018, the Health Information Department, Ministry of Health, with support from WHO, UNICEF and International Organization for Migration initiated an extensive task of introducing district health information system (DHIS2) all over the country. After completion of training of a core team on administrative functions of DHIS-2 held from 21 to 26 July 2018, a 6-day (28 July–2 August) training of trainers workshop on DHIS2 is in progress both in Tripoli and Benghazi. These workshops will not only enrich the capacity of Ministry of Health staff on data entry, analysis and reporting of disease burden and service utilization data but will also enhance their teaching and supervisory skills.

Data entry operators of public health facilities will attend cascade training and will monitor the timely availability of quality data on a daily, weekly and monthly basis according to the agreed standard operating procedures reflected in the DHIS2. The initiative is an important component of the European Union-WHO strengthening Health information systems and medicines supply chain management (SHAMS) project funded by the European Union.

The DHIS2 is a web based open-source health information management system capturing aggregated data (e.g. routine health facility data, staffing, equipment, infrastructure, population estimates), and event data (disease outbreaks, survey/audit data, patient satisfaction surveys, longitudinal patient records etc.). It improves the quality of data and facilitates the use of analytics by decision-makers through tailored dashboards, charts, pivot tables and maps and enables the focus of resources where they are needed the most.

The workshop in Tripoli is being attended by 50 MInistry of Health staff from Tripoli, Zlietin, Gharyan, Murzuq, Sabha, Kufra, Nalut and  Ghat, and the workshop in Benghazi will be attended by 25 health information system staff from health directorates from municipalities and hospitals in Benghazi, Ajdabya, Tobruk, Al Marj, Al Kufra, Derna, Khaleej Al Sidra and Al Baida. These workshops are being facilitated by national trainers and international experts from the Health Information System Programme of India. 

Mr Mohamed Ibrahim Daganee, Director General of Health Information Department, Ministry of Health, and Dr Syed Jaffar Hussain, WHO Representative fior Libya, noted that the major undertaking of the Ministry in taking this strategic and innovative initiative would be remembered for years to come. The availability of updated information on urgent needs on a daily basis would improve the coordination and response capacity, as well as decision-making of the Ministry of Health and partners and many precious lives would be saved by taking timely action. Dr Hussain thanked the European Union for its generous support instrengthening the health information system in Libya.

The Ministry of Health, Libya and all the partners (WHO, UNICEF and IOM) sincerely appreciates the generous support of the European Union in supporting Libya in modernizing and strengthening the health information system. The proper use of information will support program managers, district health officers, health sector partners, donors and all the stakeholders related to health in evidence based planning which will improve the health service delivery benefitting the ailing population of Libya.