LOOK AT THIS IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN:
Assessing the incremental costs of implementing electronic immunization registry and stock management systems in immunization programs in Tanzania and Zambia.
HOW YOU CAN USE THIS MATERIAL:
For countries interested in implementing or improving electronic immunization registry and stock management system interventions, they can use the data contained in this study to estimate the incremental costs and ensure these costs are included in the immunization budget.
OVERVIEW:
Poor data quality and use have been identified as key challenges that negatively impact immunization programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In addition, many LMICs have a shortage of health personnel, and staff available have demanding workloads across several health programs. In order to address these challenges, the Better Immunization Data (BID) Initiative introduced a comprehensive suite of interventions, including an electronic immunization registry aimed at improving the quality, reliability, and use of immunization data in Arusha Region, Tanzania, and Southern Province of Zambia. The objective of this study was to assess the incremental costs of implementing the BID interventions in immunization programs in these two countries.
Key Points:
- The introduction of electronic immunization registries and stock management systems through the BID Initiative was estimated to result in potential cost and time savings in both countries.
- Health worker time was the area most impacted by the interventions, suggesting that time savings gained could be utilized for patient care.
- Information generated through this work provides evidence to inform stakeholder decision making for scale-up of the BID interventions in Tanzania and Zambia and to inform other Low-to-Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) interested in similar interventions.