May 10, 2023 (DJIBOUTI-VILLE, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), in collaboration with the government of Djibouti: Ministry of Health (MoH), has launched a transformative Sub-project to digitize the country’s disease surveillance system using Surveillance, Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System (SORMAS).
The four days digital platform workshop focuses on improving the prevention and control of communicable diseases, as well as, the Sub-project which will be implemented in stages, prioritizing critical health facilities and cross-border health facilities in Djibouti including its training programs, that will be carried out until the end of 2023 with a team of experts and a committee, composed of representatives from IGAD, the Ministry of Health, GIZ, Speedykom, and the SORMAS Foundation.
Speaking on behalf of the Director of IGAD Health and Social Development Madam Fathia A. Alwan ; Dr. Bashir Ahmed – Coordinator of IGAD Digital Health emphasised that the IGAD-Regional Disease Surveillance System allows for monitoring disease surveillance across the entire area, fostering a more coordinated and informed response to disease outbreaks and public health threats.
On his opening remarks, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Health of Djibouti, Dr Saleh Banoita Tourab, expressed that the SORMAS will be beneficial and crucial for the National Institute of Public Health of a department responsible for health monitoring, epidemic alert and preparation for a health response constitutes the control body for epidemics.
“This will strengthen the capacity to respond to emergency public health, to carry out surveillance, to carry out research on priority public health problems and to improve the exchange of health information for decision-making.” He stressed.
Dr Saleh Banoita Tourab on his part thanked the IGAD, the European Union, GIZ and the foundation SORMAS for the multifaceted support without which this session would not have succeeded.”
The chairmanship of the Secretary General P.I Mr Abdoulkader Mohamed Garad on his part mentioned that SORMAS is a cutting-edge digital platform created to strengthen the prevention and control of infectious diseases, especially in settings where resources are limited. The system adheres to strict data protection standards, good scientific practices and an open access policy.
The project is financially supported by the European Union and BMZ (German Cooperation), coordinated by IGAD and implemented by GIZ.
The workshop brought together the Ministry of Health of Djibouti and experts from IGAD, representatives of the National Institute of Public Health, the National Agency for State Information Systems (ANSIE) , the main hospitals and laboratories, as well as cross-border health establishment and SORMAS Foundation in Braunschweig (Germany) and Speedykom GmbH in Erlangen (Germany).
Djibouti is the first member of IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) to adopt SORMAS as a standard solution for integrated disease surveillance and response. This development aligns with the Djibouti government’s commitment to digitize services and improve healthcare delivery for its residents, visitors and guests.
