
Background and Challenges
Tabaco City, located in the Albay province of the Bicol region in the Philippines, faces significant challenges that hinder its progress toward achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to health and equality. These challenges include inadequate healthcare facilities, income inequality, environmental vulnerabilities exacerbated by climate change, and disparities in quality education, contributing to a dual burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
Additionally, the Philippines struggles with low vaccination coverage, with approximately 18 million children not receiving any vaccines in 2021. Natural disasters frequently disrupt healthcare services and logistics, further complicating efforts to achieve universal vaccination coverage and address health disparities. Governance issues and parental hesitancy towards vaccination services also contribute to the city’s challenges. These factors collectively hinder the city’s progress in meeting SDG targets and ensuring equitable access to essential services.
To address these multifaceted issues, Catalyst Management Services Pvt Ltd, Rockefeller Foundation along with the Precision Health platform, developed an integrated platform leveraging the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS), Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS), and National Immunisation Program (NIP). This platform aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the current situation by integrating various data sources and facilitating evidence-based decision-making.
Leveraging Integrated Data Systems
To address some of the challenges faced, the Community-Based Monitoring System (CBMS) was established to collect and analyze data, driving informed decision-making and positive change. In addition, the Field Health Services Information System (FHSIS), a nationwide, facility-based recording and reporting system that offers information to Local Government Units and the Department of Health, is used to support the management and implementation of public health programs. However, fragmentation in data across various government agencies posed a significant challenge, limiting the ability to develop comprehensive policies.
Within this context, the integrated platform sought to combine CBMS, FHSIS, and NIP data, covering information on education, employment, migration, healthcare, and more. This helps break down data silos across government agencies, offering a complete view of the city’s socioeconomic, healthcare, and environmental situation. Real-time data allows government officials to allocate resources effectively, design targeted interventions, and strengthen community resilience against climate and health challenges.
Transformative initiatives and collaborative efforts
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Engaging with Stakeholders: Extensive consultations with stakeholders were conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of the available data and the information landscape in Tabaco City. These discussions helped evaluate the scope, reliability, and timeliness of existing datasets, while also identifying gaps or inconsistencies.
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Creating interactive Dashboards: Interactive dashboards were developed to integrate data on health, education, demographics, climate, and more. These dashboards provide detailed insights at the barangay level, allowing users to narrow down to household or individual levels where possible. Statistical methods were also employed to identify trends, correlations, and potential outcomes to inform policy formulation and resource allocation.
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Capacity Building: Training guidelines were developed to build capacity and empower stakeholders to leverage the platform effectively. This included designing training materials, conducting workshops, and providing technical assistance to enhance digital literacy. Procedures, data sources, methodologies, and manuals were documented to ensure transparency, accountability, and knowledge sharing.
Impact and Outcomes
The implementation of the integrated platform had a transformative impact on Tabaco City. The Mayor of Tabaco City has been able to identify priority areas and allocate resources effectively to address pressing community needs.
Key impacts include:
- Vaccine Coverage: Identified disparities in vaccination coverage across barangays, prompting targeted actions to ensure adequate coverage in underserved areas.
- Climate Change Response: Utilized data to identify areas most impacted by climate change, enabling targeted measures to reduce risks and enhance resilience through improved infrastructure and community-based adaptation strategies.
- Barangay Development Plans: Facilitated reassessment and re-strategizing of barangay development plans based on comprehensive data, addressing the evolving needs of communities, including social protection initiatives.
- Data-Driven Advocacy: Empowered the Mayor to advocate for evidence-based policies and address discrepancies, such as accurately representing vaccination needs against erroneous claims.
Conclusion
The integration of CBMS, FHSIS, and NIP data into a single platform has transformed the governance and healthcare landscape of Tabaco City. By enabling evidence-based decision-making and fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and citizen engagement, this innovative solution has addressed key challenges and paved the way for a more resilient and equitable community. Thus, prioritizing community-driven approaches and leveraging data-driven insights, has helped Tabaco City transform its healthcare landscape, ensuring equitable access to quality services and improving health outcomes for all residents. The success of this initiative highlights the importance of integrated data systems in driving positive change and achieving sustainable development goals.