Message-ID: <31874855@SmtpOut.em.cdc.gov> Date: Wed, 1 May 1996 15:16:00 EST From: "Martin, Daniel W." <mailto:dwm5@EPO.EM.CDC.GOV> Subject: MONITORING SYSTEMS To: Multiple recipients of list DEVEL-L <mailto:DEVEL-L@AMERICAN.EDU>
Dear Mr. Khan:The Data for Decision Making (DDM) Project of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers services that may be of use to you in the efforts you describe (I'm sorry, but your message did not mention the country in which you are working).
DDM/CDC assists the ministries of health in developing countries to improve their use of health and management data in the processes of policy setting, program management, and resource allocation. Our primary foci of activity are applied epidemiology, information systems development, and management capacity building.
In the area of applied epidemiology, DDM draws on the broad experience of CDC to establish or enhance capacity to train epidemiologists and other public health personnel in surveillance and analysis of health information. This has been done in conjunction with CDC Field Epidemiology Training Programs (as we did in Mexico and the Philippines), or as part of an independant training package such as that currently ongoing in Bolivia.
In the information systems area, DDM assists with an assessment of the existing sources of health and management information, and works with the Ministry of Health to develop an integrated information system designed to provide timely collection, analysisis, interpretation, and reporting of that information. This system can involve a variety of both electronic and non-electronic means, depending upon available resources and local needs. Examples of this effort are a past project in the Philiippines and a relatively new one in Zambia.
The management capacity building effort focuses on the training of public health leaders at local, regional, and/or national levels in the effective use of information in the decision making process. Depending on local needs and interests, this package of training can include instruction in management, epidemiology/public health, communications, and economic analysis/evaluation. Training is structured around a "train-the-trainiers" set of courses, or on curriculum enhancement for existing training programs in-country, and may also involve some training in Atlanta where indicated. In this area, DDM draws upon associations with other partners within CDC, and on close ties to the Emory University of Atlanta.
DDM projects usually begin with an assessment visit by DDM staff, in which we examine the existing capacity in the above areas, and meet with relevant parties in both the government and nongovernmental organizations working in public health. The product from this visit is a workplan and proposed budget for implementing full-scale project activities. Upon funding, DDM projects typically last from two to four years.
If you are interested in further examining how DDM might be able to assist you in your efforts, please feel free to contact either Karen Wilkins, MPH mailto:(kxw2@epo.em.cdc.gov) or me, Daniel Martin, MSPH (dwm5@epo.em.cdc.gov) at (404) 639-2231.