Session I: interoperability in practice

Four case examples

Saurav Bhattarai, Technical Advisor, openIMIS Coordination Desk for GIZ, introduced
the topic of interoperability with a reminder of its benefits; interoperable systems are
flexible, reduce costs, and can be tailored to different uses, ultimately providing faster
access to higher quality services. The openIMIS initiative has therefore made achieving
interoperability with other digital public goods a priority.

Four short presentations from openIMIS implementers in different countries gave
examples of interoperability in practice.

Going cashless in Tanzania: SwissTPH Software Engineer Hiren Soni explained how
openIMIS has been integrated with the Government e-Payment Gateway in Tanzania,
allowing the Community Health Funds to collect health insurance contributions free
from the problems associated with using cash.
Payment integration in Tanzania (video); Hiren Soni, Software Engineering and Information System Expert / Swiss TPH

Efficient Scheme Introductions in Nepal: Senior Technical Advisor for GIZ Nepal Nirmal
Dhakal outlined how the use of openIMIS with other digital tools has enabled the
government of Nepal to implement two new social protection schemes in the last six
years.
Interoperability in Nepal implementation (video); Nirmal Dhakal, Senior Technical Advisor / GIZ Nepal

Ongoing Integrations in Cameroon and Niger: Senior Software Engineer at Bluesquare,
Eric Darchis, laid out current developments of openIMIS, highlighting that the ongoing
migration to the modular version of the software will allow for greater integration.
DHIS2 integration in Cameroon (video); Eric Darchis, openIMIS Lead Developer/ BlueSquare

Meeting Challenges in Zanzibar: Pharmaccess Senior Programme Officer of
Digitalisation and Data, Jonia Bwakea, explored how the challenges of integration are
being addressed in Zanzibar, high-lighting the opportunities for the improvement of
health services which are presented by the increased ability to manage data.
Role of interoperability in promoting use of data to transform health financing strategy to achieve UHC in Zanzibar (video); Jonia Bwakea, Senior Program Officer Digitalization and Data / Pharmaccess