Jordan has 51 infectious diseases surveillance systems, national study reveals

A comprehensive study conducted by the Jordan Center For Disease Control (JCDC) disclosed that Jordan utilizes 51 distinct information systems for monitoring infectious diseases. Released on Wednesday, the study highlights the numerous policies, strategies, and programs that bolster electronic transformation plans. However, many of these strategies are still in their infancy. Emphasizing the significance of data quality across various health information systems, the study underscores the need for the automation of the disease monitoring system and the activation of consistent data standards and policies. Jointly executed with both national and international institutions and backed by the Ministry of Health and the World Bank, the investigation seeks to develop a cohesive national electronic monitoring system. Muhammad Yahya, the center’s acting head, expressed the institution’s ambition to fortify an efficient infectious disease monitoring network. This network would unify data from assorted laboratory systems throughout the nation and delineate clear roles and responsibilities. Additionally, he stressed the center’s commitment to delivering integrated and quality infectious disease monitoring data, aligning with evidence-based national public health guidelines. Highlighting the study’s role in pinpointing system gaps, Yahya emphasized collaborative efforts to construct a dynamic and integrated monitoring system for infectious diseases. He extended gratitude to the Ministry of Health, the World Bank, and all contributors for their unwavering support and contributions to the national project. Fatima Hammad, Director of the Information Technology and Systems Department at the Center, delved into the study’s findings, objectives, methodology, and the broad spectrum of collaborators. She highlighted the necessity for unified efforts across sectors to bridge discrepancies in legislation, governance, policies, and data flow processes during disease reporting. Stressing the essence of uniform standards, she noted this would enhance system interoperability. Hammad also revealed that three top-tier international health security institutions were engaged to identify best global practices, recommend system enhancements, and work towards a holistic, sector-wide national monitoring system grounded in empirical evidence. Hassan Elyan, from the Health Data Department, provided insights into proposed technical solutions and their prospective implementation on a national scale.

Source: Jordan News Agency