Haramaya University Capacity Building and Mentorship Program (CBMP).

Haramaya University Capacity Building and Mentorship Program (CBMP) Project inaugurated Health Information System (HIS) Training Center and e-Health applications center of Excellence, at College of Health and Medical Sciences on January 30, 2021.

The project donated ICT equipments which valued more than 700,000 birr for health centers which found at the areas where the project covered.

During the inauguration ceremony consultative meeting was held about the center’s activity with Ministry of Health, Harari & Somali regional states and Dire Dawa Administrative health bureaus representatives.

Chief Executive Director of College of Health and Medical Sciences, Dr. Yadeta Dessie on his opening remark emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership between Haramaya University and the regions created through CBMP Project platform.

On the event, CBMP Project Director Mr. Admas Abera presented the project’s achievements in the last two and half years, where major improvements have been observed in providing technical support on Health Information System at Harari, Somali and Dire Dawa Regions. He also explained that, the project is conducting Helth information system (HIS) specific implementation researches which are expected to inform Policy. Providing HIS specific Pre- and In-service trainings, Onsite Mentorships and supporting Master’s and PhD research grants were among the major activities accomplished so far.

Mr. Naod Wondirad from the Ministry of Health, remarked this University-Health Bureau linkage has to be strengthened in order to realize the Information Revolution agenda of the Health Sector Transformation Plan of Ethiopia, and the need to make this an exemplary collaboration to replicate to other sectors as well. All the three regional representatives acknowledged Haramaya University CBMP Project’s unwavering technical support to improve performance of health facilities.

Afterwards, the main event of the day, CBMP Project health information system (HIS) training center and e-Health applications Centre of Excellence has been inaugurated by University, MOH and regional representatives. During the inauguration, Mr. Admas explained that universities are expected to conduct context based and problem solving researches that can inform Policy at local & national level. Accordingly, the center established here is designed to serve as e-Health training, innovation and research center in Eastern Ethiopia. Further, Mr. Admas thanked MOH and Doris Duke Charitable Foundation grant through JSI/DUP for the financial support to establish these centers.

Mr. Tilahun Shiferaw, e-Health coordinator of the project, added these centers will be essential in enhancing knowledge and skill of trainees (health workers) in improving data quality and data use for evidence based decision making in their respective facilities.

Moreover, CBMP Project donated ICT inputs that are necessary to enhance HIS worth of more than 700,000 birr to the woredas and facilities that are covered by the project. The regions expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the project for the input support and promised to continue to pro-actively engage to make the partnership successful.

The event came to an end through a closing remark by Professor Jeylan weliyi where he re-emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership between the university and the regions in order to make data a useful resource to improve health service delivery. Finally, he acknowledged MOH, regions and implementing partners for their support and he also expressed his appreciation to Mr. Admas and his CBMP teams for their achievements and successfully hosting the event.

Haramaya University Administrative and Student affairs Vice President Professor Jeylan Weliyi, CHMS Chief Executive Director Dr. Yadeta Dessie, MOH Policy Plan, M&E Directorate Director Mr. Naod Wondrad, Dire Dawa Administration Health Bureau head Ms. Lemlem Bezabih, Harari Regional Health Bureau deputy head Mr. Fathi Mahdi and Somali Regional Health Bureau Planning head Mr. Mohammed Ayanle and other officials & experts attended the event.