The WHO country office in Botswana, with financial support from European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), donated ICT equipment to the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) to support the Integrated Disease Surveillance Response (IDSR) in 18 districts. The equipment for each of the District Health Management Teams (DHMT) consisted of a set of a laptop and accessories, docking unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse, and other accessories. This docking equipment is to be utilised by recently recruited IDSR surveillance officers to strengthen surveillance activities at the district facility level through capturing, consolidating, sanitising and analysing data to effectively inform decision making by higher offices within the MoHW.

The equipment was installed and demonstrations of use were conducted for the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) officers and M&E assistants, recently recruited surveillance officers and the IT officer, who will be utilising the equipment. For data consolidation at the national level, the docking equipment was connected through the internet to link with the  District Health Information System version 2 (DHIS2). Where a management screen (TV) was available within the M&E/IDSR team’s office, such as at Tsabong and Maun, this was also connected to the docking station to enable management to view the online reports.  

“We are very glad to benefit through the IT equipment which would enhance timely reporting from now on,” said Ms Ogaufi Madome at the Molepolole DHMT, one of the beneficiaries of this initiative.  All the recipients appreciated the newly available computer systems donated by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid project on COVID-19 response in Botswana.