Zanzibar / Implementation Details

Overview on the ground

Resource constrains and untimely availability of data, makes the government of Zanzibar continually face double challenges of inadequate funding and inefficient resource allocation. To address these challenges, the Government of Zanzibar has developed a digital health strategy to make data available in a timely manner and improve transparency, efficiency and effectiveness of the health care delivery process.

The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ) envisages to continue providing quality health care for all citizens with the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Since 2019 PharmAccess has been working with the Ministry of Health Social Welfare, Gender Elderly and Children (MoHSWGEC) of Zanzibar to support the review of health financing model, establishment of quality improvement structure and support implementation of digital health strategies. As part of the implementation strategy, PharmAccess is supporting MoHSWGEC to digitalize utilization data capturing and establish national client registry through openIMIS

Project Details

Utilization data collected through openIMIS is used to inform the government on the consumption patterns at the healthcare facilities per geographical area. PharmAccess will continue working and the support the government on effectively managing health services and improve quality healthcare delivery to all. 

The customization and initial set up are both configured to enable end users to access the system on the web and on mobile. The Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) are trained to use the App installed on mobile phones to collect demographic, poverty mapping data and other enrolment details of the household members. Up on completion of enrolment the CHV issues a card with unique identification number, known as “Kadi ya Matibabu”. This card has a QR code and is used to identify the holder when seeking services at a health facility. With this approach, it is possible to collect utilization data at each facility, to determine the type of services provided, socio-economic characteristics of those using the service and total cost of services provided. It also identifies areas of under or overuse of services.  More interventions can be designed in a timely manner.   

From February 2022, as part of the process to support establishment of a functional Zanzibar Health Services Fund (ZHSF), the government of Zanzibar in collaboration with PharmAccess Tanzania will customize the openIMIS to accommodate requirements for health insurance management. To align with the government’s plans to enroll the formal sector by April 1^st, the initial plan is to start with registration of formal sector employees by March 2022.

PharmAccess will continue working and support the government on effectively managing health services and improve quality healthcare delivery to all.