Lao PDR

Overview

Country/Region	Lao PDR
Solution	Cash Transfer
Program Operator	Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare
Program type	Cash Transfer
Implemented since	2024
Implementing Partner(s)	2M Corp (customization)
Supporting Partner(s)	Coordination: UNICEF, Funding: NatCom UNICEF Australia
Version
Functionalities used	Administration registry Household members and programs Payroll management
Coverage	Three districts in Xiengkhouang province.
Number of beneficiaries	496 children
Number of users	22
Number of health facilities
Last update	Dec 2024

Scheme Features

Cash tranfer scheme implemented since	2024
Name of openIMIS focal point	Soheib A Elsheikh, Amphayvan Chanmany
Total number of cash transfer scheme employees	22
Total number of employees using openIMIS	22
Total number of employees not trained on openIMIS	NA
Number of products / services managed by the social protection scheme and using openIMIS	3

Product Features

Number of households covered	464

Number of households covered	464
Average size of a household	NA
Household contribution amount	NA
Individual contribution	NA
Average amount paid for a claim

Specifications of the openIMIS used

Version

Version
Has anything been modified (customization)
What standards are used to code services, items, diagnosis and products

Three main lessons learned

One	Digital platforms Open-IMIS is essential for effective social protection programs.
Two	Flexibility and customization the platform was designed to incorporate lessons learned from pervious engagements (MIS for Mother and Early Childhood Grant) and to be configurable for different contexts. Also, this adaptability allowed it to meet specific needs of various projects or countries
Three	Capacity building training and support are vital for successful implementation. And having the flatform in local languages is substantial for better use and manage the system.

Recommendations for Developers Committee

What to improve	Enhance the User Interface to make it more intuitive and user-friendly. Simplifying navigation and improving the overall design can help users interact with the system better and more efficiently

What to improve	Enhance the User Interface to make it more intuitive and user-friendly. Simplifying navigation and improving the overall design can help users interact with the system better and more efficiently
What to add	Develop a mobile application version of Open-IMIS to allow field workers to access and update data on the go incase of no tablet. Also maybe introduce advanced analytical features to provide deeper insights and support data driven decision making like simple dashboard.
What to remove	Identify and remove any outdate or rarely used features that may no longer be relevant or necessary. Also, simplify complex configurations that may be difficult for users to manage, ensuring a smoother user experience.

Implementation Details

In collaboration with the consulting firm 2MCORP and in partnership with MoLSW, UNICEF has successfully developed a comprehensive Management Information System (MIS) using a robust Open IMIS platform, which is the first in the region. This innovation will significantly contribute to reducing administrative costs for the government and enhance program sustainability. The disability information system captures crucial household details such as children's birthdates, family data, types of disabilities, and contact information. These detailed data points are pivotal for accurately identifying beneficiaries, optimizing resource allocation, and ensuring comprehensive coverage of children with disabilities in pilot districts.

The Open MIS, with its streamlined processes, simplifies beneficiary identification and fosters transparency and accountability throughout the program lifecycle. This role in maintaining the program's integrity is a key benefit of the system. Real-time data capabilities allow for the quick identification and resolution of potential issues, maximizing program effectiveness.

To strengthen the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the National Rehabilitation Center's capacity to coordinate and manage the system independently, UNICEF conducted an orientation and training for both national and sub-national level officials. This initiative yielded valuable insights from government counterparts, further enhancing the functionality and scalability of the Open MIS to meet specific program needs. The system's adaptability, which positions it as the cornerstone of disability management systems in Laos, is a key factor in paving the way for future program expansions.

Figure 1: Snapshot of the Open-IMIS system for the Disability Grants project in Xiengkhouang province, Lao PDR

openIMIS