Directorate of Planning and Information

1. General Information

Office Address: Central Medical Stores Complex, Kotu

Email Address: gibsjarju@yahoo.com

Head: Gibril Jarju.

2. Organizational Structure

Overview: The Directorate is headed by a Director, who is assisted by a Deputy Director. It comprises nine distinct programs/units, each led by a Program Manager/Principal, followed by Senior Officers and Officers. Each Program Manager/Principal reports directly to the Director and Deputy Director.

The programs/units are as follows:

• Planning and Policy Analysis Unit
• Health Financing Unit
• Monitoring and Evaluation Unit
• Quality Assurance Unit
• Health Management Information System (HMIS) Unit
• ICT Unit
• Birth and Death Registration Unit
• Maintenance Unit
• Procurement Unit

3. Key Functions and Responsibilities

1. Planning and Policy Analysis Unit: Oversees the development and implementation of strategic plans, policies, and analyses to drive informed decision-making.
2. Health Financing Unit: Responsible for preparing the health budget and advising on health financing strategies, programs, and policies to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery.
3. Monitoring and Evaluation Unit: Tracks and assesses health programs and policies to ensure effectiveness, accountability, and efficient use of resources through data collection and analysis. This unit provides evidence-based recommendations to enhance health outcomes and system performance.
4. Quality Assurance Unit: Ensures that healthcare services meet established standards of quality, safety, and effectiveness.
5. Health Management Information System (HMIS) Unit: Designs, develops, and maintains data management systems to support evidence-based decision-making in health service delivery.
6. ICT Unit: Provides technical support for information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure and services to ensure seamless data collection and analysis.
7. Birth and Death Registration Unit: Manages the registration and documentation of vital events, such as births and deaths, to support public health surveillance and policy development.
8. Maintenance Unit: Responsible for maintaining the physical infrastructure, including vehicles and other resources, to ensure the ministry’s facilities and equipment are in good condition.
9. Procurement Unit: Oversees the acquisition of goods and services to support the directorate’s programs and operations, in accordance with established procurement policies and procedures.

4. Services Provided

1. Developing policies and protocols to guide health initiatives.
2. Strategic planning for effective program implementation.
3. Facilitating collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector.
4. Mobilizing and allocating resources for health programs.
5. Providing technical expertise in areas such as health financing and program design.
6. Managing and analyzing data to inform decision-making.
7. Promoting the use of health information systems to improve data processes.
8. Monitoring and evaluating programs to measure their impact.
9. Ensuring quality services in all health settings.
10. Providing maintenance services and vehicle control.
11. Ensuring all births and deaths are registered.

5. Policies, Guidelines, and Reports

Key Policies:

1. National Health Sector Policy 2021-2030
2. National Health Sector Strategic Plan 2021-2025
3. National Health Sector Monitoring and Evaluation Plan 2021-2025
4. Health Financing Policy 2017-2030
5. Health Financing Strategic Plan 2017-2030
6. Health Management Information System (HMIS) Policy 2017-2023
7. HMIS Strategic Plan 2017-2025
8. Maintenance Policy

Reports:

1. Annual Service Statistic Reports
2. National Health Account Reports
3. Joint Annual Health Sector Review Reports
4. Operational Plan Implementation Reports
5. Data Quality Audit Reports
6. Quarterly Bulletins
7. Client/Patient Satisfaction Survey Reports
8. Quality of Care Assessment Checklists
9. Annual Reports on the Quality of Services
10. National Emergency Treatment Protocols.

 6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

     1. What services does the Directorate of Planning & Information provide?

The Directorate offers strategic planning, data management, policy development support, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, resource allocation guidance, technical assistance, and assessment of the quality of services in both public and private health facilities.

2. Who are the primary beneficiaries of the Directorate’s services?

Health sector stakeholders, including government agencies, healthcare providers, MoH Program units, NGOs, and community organizations.

3. How can I access data and reports provided by the Directorate?

Stakeholders can typically access data and reports through the Directorate’s official website or by contacting the Director or specific unit heads directly.

4. What type of training programs does the Directorate offer?

The Directorate provides training on various topics, including data analysis, health policy development, monitoring and evaluation, planning, effective resource management, and quality of care.

5. How does the Directorate support evidence-based policymaking?

By providing up-to-date information on service delivery and health sector performance through enhanced data management and analysis systems to inform policy decisions based on concrete evidence and research findings.

6. Can the Directorate assist with the design of health programs?

Yes, the Directorate offers technical assistance for program design to ensure that initiatives are effective and aligned with health goals.

7. What role does stakeholder engagement play in the Directorate’s work?

Stakeholder engagement is crucial for understanding community needs, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that health programs are relevant and supported. It also builds stakeholder confidence/trust in the health sector and enhances transparency and mutual accountability.

8. How does the Directorate promote transparency in its operations?

Through transparent reporting practices and by providing feedback to all stakeholders regarding the implementation of operational plans, the allocation of resources, and the outcomes of health initiatives.

9. What technology does the Directorate use to enhance data processes?

The Directorate primarily uses the District Health Information System for data management, along with other software for statistical analysis.

10. How can stakeholders provide feedback or suggestions to the Directorate?

Stakeholders may provide feedback through official communication channels, such as emails or feedback forms, or during stakeholder meetings and workshops. They can also contact the call center at 1025.

7. Events and News

Upcoming Events (Ongoing):

• Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (eCRVS)
• Electronic Human Resource Management Information System (eHRMIS)
• Electronic Asset Management Information System (eAMIS)
• Electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS)
• Electronic Case-Based Surveillance System
• Satellite & Fiber Internet for all facilities and programs
• Electronic digital Quality of Care assessment checklists

Recent News (Ongoing):

• Installation and configuration of Local Area Network (LAN).
• Joint Annual Health Sector Review Meeting 2023/24.
• Training of Ministry of Health Program Officers on Monitoring and Evaluation Systems.
• Digitalization of Annual Operational Plan and implementation reports, and training of MoH Program officers and Regional Health Staff on the digitalized tool.
• Digitalization of Quality of Care assessment checklists and training of healthcare workers on data capturing and reporting using the digital system.
• Began using the digital Quality of Care assessment tools in the fourth quarter of 2024.

8. Collaboration and Partnerships

• All programs within the Health Sector.
• All partners of the Health Secto