2. mHealth: The use of mobile and
wireless communication devices to
improve health outcomes
There are 5.3 billion mobile
subscribers worldwide, with 3.8
billion in the developing world
There are more than 10,000
mobile phone apps designated as
health or medical related
By 2014, more people will access
the internet via their mobile
device than through a desktop
8. Defining the Problem
• Stock outs of essential medicines
• Infrequent adherence to reporting groups
• Difficulties with ordering and reporting
• Absence of facility level data for decision-makers
DATA VISIBILITY
9. The Technology
• ILSGateway is built on RapidSMS
• Facility use personal cell phones
• Send data as SMS to a toll-free
short code (“15018”)
• SMS aggregator receives data
which is analyzed by web
database and then displayed on:
www.ilsgateway.com
10.
11.
12. Impact
• 97% increase in reporting rates
& adherence to reporting groups
• 93% improvement in stock
counting
• 45% increase in product
availability
Perceived:
• Growing use of data for supply
chain management
• Increased accountability, Increased logistics
transparency and responsibility information
visibility
Most current mHealth projects are small and targeted at focused local populations, with very few impacting populations that are greater in size than 100,000 persons Most programs are less than a few years old - “Pilotitis” No single predominant mHealth application Most major donors / implementing partners / NGOs have a presence
These are the Center’s building blocks to mHealth solutions Begin with identifying the existing need don’t create the need During the system design phase, ensure that all key stakeholders who matter are on the table and defining what needs to. We are not in this to promote pilotitis – this will lead to a sound and sustainable business model Keep solutions simple, practical and affordable – what incentives are appropriate, Consistently monitor the performance of your system. Know when it is not working and when it is reaching it’s desired impact - will help promote more evidence based solutions
These are some of the challenges which led to the birth of the need for a mobile reporting system.
Preparatory work showed the widespread availability of mobile phones at health facilities. By leveraging this existing resource, the project can keep costs down, thereby increasing the likelihood of sustainability and country-wide scale-up Less training would be required on the hardware, as the users would already be familiar with their phones Eliminate the need for a supply chain for phones Eliminate the need to monitor usage of phones
Begin by defining what a gateway is. A gateway is a is either hardware (phone) or software (in this case the ILSGateway system) that acts as a bridge between two networks so that data can be transferred between a number of computers. For example, when you send an e-mail to a friend or when you log in to a Web site, there is a gateway that allows the connection take place. Often, your connection to a Web site will involve many smaller connections to other servers along the way. In these cases, a number of gateways are used. In our case, using mobile phones and a website we will create a logistics information gateway. The mobile reporting system, to be known as the ILSGateway will in a combined effort seek support and strengthen the paper based integrated logistics system (ILS) while improving the availability and visibility of family planning commodities. Pilot was in 104 facilities The ILSGateway is a mobile health alert and reporting system designed to support and strengthen the ILS by: Expanding the accessibility to and visibility of logistics data Improving the use of logistics data for supply chain decision making Provides comprehensive overview of: Report & Requisition submission Stock on hand submission Delivery summary Product availability Stock outs Lead time
97% of facilities improved their on-time submission rates for stock reports, which are critical for resupply decision making. A further 93% improved their stock counting exercises because of the routine mobile alerts they received. Importantly, 45% of facilities reported improved product availability, indicating the overall positive effect the ILSGateway has had on the essential medicine supply system in Tanzania.
