Improving performance of IDSR at district and facility levels: experiences in Tanzania and Ghana in making IDSR operational.

Abstract

Recognition of the need for effective disease surveillance and response is growing worldwide due to increased risks of infectious diseases associated with population mobility globalization and emerging and resurging diseases. The Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) strategy promoted and supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) has been adopted throughout the regions 46 countries to strengthen surveillance systems such that they inform public health decisions and disease control actions. This document describes the efforts of the Partners for Health Reformplus (PHRplus) project in Ghana and Tanzania to support improvements in the performance of IDSR. Ghana and Tanzania sought to address concurrently the technical organizational and workforce issues that could impede IDSR performance. The most notable improvements were seen in reporting analysis and interpretation of surveillance data. Strengthening and maintaining IDSR performance however is also dependent the following: ensuring on-going supervision and follow-up; ensuring IDSR visibility and leadership at all levels; understanding the links between IDSR and health system decentralization; and addressing structural barriers to IDSR that are a function of the overall health system. (authors)