Mapping the Future
Threshold Program’s tools help district health offices track immunization in their communities
The Indonesia Immunization Project of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Threshold Program has created a data collection software tool for use by provincial, district, and local health officers. This tool facilitates the collection, analysis and reporting of routine immunization coverage and drop-out rates (the rate of children who are receiving some but not all necessary immunizations) in specific geographic areas.
MCC/ IIP
This table is a “snapshot” of the spreadsheet tool. The green boxes indicate that a particular puskesmas has achieved an immunization rate this month that is on track to achieve an annual immunization rate greater than 90%; yellow indicates the rate is on target to achieve 80-90% coverage; and red indicates the rate is tracking to below 80% coverage.
This software tool is an electronic spreadsheet version of the PWS (Pemantauan Wilayah Setempat, or Local Area Monitoring) that takes data the health centers (puskesmas) and district health offices routinely collect and generates calculations and graphics that can be used for data-based decision making and effective advocacy. For example, the health workers can simply enter the number of vaccines administered during the quarter and the model will generate color-coded reports which indicate in an easy-to read format whether or not the target immunization coverage rate was achieved.
With this tool, health officers can provide necessary support to the puskesmas by building a clearer picture of their areas’ needs. For example, by rapidly assessing which of their areas are lagging, officers can easily identify problems and focus their limited resources on these areas requiring special attention.
Some health officials have already taken the data analysis a step farther. One of the health officers from Central Jakarta used the software to create a color-coded district map which clearly identified the priority problem areas. There are applications beyond immunization as well. Dr. Purbo Antarsih from the Maternal and Child Health Division of the Central Jakarta District Health office attended a recent demonstration of the tool for health officers. But Dr. Purbo had her own ideas. “Can we use this tool to track aspects of our maternal and child health program in the puskesmas?” she asked. This type of enthusiasm and wider applicability will ensure the tool’s use beyond the life of the project.
The MCC Threshold Program comprises a $55 million grant over two years focused on anti-corruption ($35 million) and immunization ($20 million) activities. The Program will be implemented from 2007 – 2009.
All MCC Threshold Program activities