CapacityPlus has been working closely with the West African Health Organization (WAHO) and its Director for HR Development, Professor Kayode Odusote, to provide virtual assistance for its HRIS strengthening in member countries. WAHO recently completed a pilot of iHRIS Manage in Ghana and is now supporting the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to implement iHRIS Qualify.
Aware that the Council was interested in computerizing its registry information, Professor Odusote gave a demonstration of iHRIS Qualify to the Council’s Registrar during a meeting at the Obudu Ranch in Nigeria. The Registrar was impressed and felt iHRIS Qualify could meet the needs of the Council. She subsequently submitted a formal request for WAHO’s assistance with implementation.
As a first step, Professor Odusote, along with his Professional Officer, Dr. Gbenga Olorunda, traveled to Nigeria in early July to conduct a site survey to obtain information on the existing information systems used by the Council, collect feedback from Council staff on the ability of iHRIS Qualify to meet the Council’s needs and identify challenges to implementation. The team visited the four offices of the Council and conducted interviews with the Registrar, some of her Deputies, and the Heads of the various operational units. The interviews were based on a modified version of the HRIS Assessment tool created by the former Capacity Project.
The team found that the Council’s current processes are largely paper-based with some aspects computerized. Registration is handled manually and information is kept in 19 different physical registries. While there are two separate information systems to support indexing and some aspects of licensing, these systems are not linked, the information is not complete and there is limited verification process in place. In addition, both systems were developed by a local vendor, who has sole access to the development code and permission to download data. Also, the current systems have no reporting function, which means all statistical information is generated manually and then compiled using Excel.
Interviewees desired several changes to the current system. They want integration of the systems to improve accuracy and efficiency, online access to all records, and improved reporting functions. After viewing a demo of iHRIS Qualify, they were impressed. They suggested several customizations, such as online submission of applications by students and institutions, the ability to view previously saved passport photos for verification, and the ability to produce reports that meet specific needs of the Council.
The survey also revealed challenges to computerizing the registration process, including multiple locations with wide geographical spread, inadequate number of computers for the number of staff that need access to the Information system, large number of staff to train, the need to streamline and update the coding and numbering system, the need for improved maintenance of hardware, and 24/7 regular power supply to the computer system for online access.
The survey team recommended steps for the Council to undertake prior to iHRIS Qualify implementation. In the meantime, Professor Odusote is working with CapacityPlus’ developers to customize two appliances for the Council. He hopes to install them in the Council’s offices in Lagoa and Abuja as part of the first phase of the computerization of the Council’s registration functions before the end of September 2010.
Professor Odusote demonstrating iHRIS Qualify to the Council.
Screenshot of the customized iHRIS Qualify for the Council.
WAHO recently completed a pilot of iHRIS Manage in Ghana and is now supporting the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria to implement iHRIS Qualify.
The University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) received awards for their exhibit at the 34th Dar es Salaam International Trade Fare on July 7, also known as Sabasaba (‘saba’ means ‘seven’ in Swahili). The exhibit included several innovative works created or supported by UDSM affiliates, and showcased Tanzania’s customized iHRIS Manage software. UDSM won two trophies, one as the second overall winner of exhibitors and a second as the best in the category of ‘Training, Research and Consultancy.’
A team of faculty and students from UDSM’s Computer Science Department have been working with the Tanzania Human Resource Capacity Project, an IntraHealth-led Capacity Project Associate Award, for the last year to customize and support the country’s iHRIS Manage software.
At the UDSM presentation, there were computers available for attendees to try the iHRIS Manage system. Literature about the software was distributed, including a user manual in Swahili created by the UDSM students.
Congratulations to the UDSM team!
Last year, the Tanzania Human Resource Capacity Project (THRP) began partnering with the University of Dar-es-Salaam – Computer Science Department to ensure support and sustainability of the country’s iHRIS Manage software implementation and other HRIS strengthening activities..
In the first year, eight seniors from the department worked with THRP to customize the system, work with the implementing partners, develop user manuals and training materials, and, most important, build capacity for supporting iHRIS Manage in the country by training students as junior programmers. The students also participated in THRP HRIS meetings and contributed to workplan discussions.
The first group of students who participated in the program will graduate later this month. To create awareness of the program, the department held a workshop on June 19 for the outgoing students to share their experiences with incoming seniors.
The workshop included opening remarks from Dr. Mercy Mbise of UDSM, a senior systems analyst of the iHRIS Software requirements in Tanzania, and an introduction to the program from Dr. Juma Lungo, the coordinator of the program at UDSM. The outgoing students then gave a demonstration of the iHRIS Manage software, highlighting the modules they developed over the last year. Then there was time for discussion, followed by closing remarks from Mathayo Josephat, an ICT officer for the Christian Social Services Commission, which is implementing iHRIS Manage.
The event was a success and at least sixteen students expressed interest in joining the program and developing case studies that aim at further development/upgrading of the iHRIS Manage software.
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