Introduction
For years, Somalia faced major challenges in detecting and responding to outbreaks of communicable diseases. Health data was fragmented across different sources, slow to compile, and difficult to analyse for timely decision making. This made it hard for health authorities to identify threats early and respond effectively.
To address these challenges, HISP Tanzania, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health (MoH) Somalia, supported the implementation of the electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (eIDSR) system, a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening national disease surveillance and response for all priority health conditions.
The goal of eIDSR is to ensure that health threats are detected early, investigated promptly, and addressed efficiently through coordinated action at all levels of the health system.
The Solution
Built on DHIS2, the eIDSR system leverages existing digital tools to enable real time data collection, management, and visualization. The system has two components:
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Weekly reporting, where health facilities submit aggregated data on priority diseases.
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Case based reporting, which captures detailed information about each individual case.
In the case based module, when a suspected case is identified at a facility, the health worker registers an alert to the District Public Health Officer (DPHO). The DPHO then verifies whether the alert is valid. If confirmed, the facility’s laboratory technician performs the required tests and reports the results back to the DPHO.
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If the case is negative, results are shared with both the DPHO and the health facility.
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If positive, notifications are automatically sent through email across all levels of the health system to trigger an immediate response and containment measures.
The availability of accurate and timely data has been central to the success of eIDSR, empowering health workers, district officers, surveillance teams, and federal authorities to make informed, data driven decisions that save lives.
Through this digital approach, the system has:
Improved efficiency by reducing duplication of reporting tools and streamlining coordination across regions.
Enhanced responsiveness enabling health managers to track diseases more effectively and respond faster to outbreaks.
Optimized resource allocation by providing evidence based insights for planning and decision making.
Reduced costs and delays eliminating the need to print and distribute paper tools, which was both costly and time consuming.
Furthermore, HISP Tanzania’s strong focus on capacity building has ensured the sustainability of the system. Local health teams have been trained to manage, maintain, and continuously improve eIDSR ensuring long term ownership and resilience within Somalia’s health sector.
Impact
Today, eIDSR is fully operational from the community to the federal level, revolutionizing how Somalia detects, reports, and responds to public health threats.
By integrating technology, data, and local expertise, Somalia has built a stronger, more responsive health surveillance system, one that enhances the country’s ability to protect its citizens and prevent future outbreaks.
HISP Tanzania remains proud to be part of this transformative journey supporting Somalia in building a data driven, resilient, and sustainable health system for all.
