| TA Name |
Piloting Community e-Centers for Better Health |
| Country |
Lao People's Dem Rep |
| TA Number |
7058 |
| Project Number |
41078-
01 |
| Source of Funding/Amount[Closed] |
| Rep of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund |
US$500,000
|
|
| Thematic Classification |
Capacity Development
Economic growth
Social Development
|
| Description |
The impact of the TA is improved health in rural communities. The outcome is improved quality and utilization of health staff and village health workers, and increased use of ICT services.
|
| Outcome |
Progress Toward Outcome |
|
Improved quality and utilization of health staff and village health workers and increased use of information and communications technology services.
|
The pilot has shown that both health education and health administration can be improved by using the e-Center. Also both staff and community could both access the e-Center for their respective use. The regulation on operating procedures and access to e-Center was approved. Monitoring showed that e-Centers were accessible at least for the official hours. In health centers quite often e-Centers were open outside of official hours since staff live near by and were very happy to support the community demand out of official hours. There was less access outside of official hour in the more formal setting of the district hospital.
The website is one of the first government websites in the country and the first Lao language website for MOH. Access to the website is limited for some e-Centers due to slow and intermittent connectivity. The website will become more useful as (i) general IT skill level and confidence grows, (ii) connectivity improves, and (iii) content increases. The website is publicly available and provides health and TA content to a wide audience. The website will be linked to the overarching MOH website being developed.
The government has confirmed its commitment to continuing the e-Center system. The e-centers are a part of e-government initiatives. The lessons from this TA will valuable for the design and implementation of future initiatives. It has also provided valuable lessons for NAST as the central government agency responsible for ICT in Lao PDR and also for MOH on how to use ICT to better serve rural communities.
|
| Outputs and Timeframe |
Status of Implementation
Progress (Outputs, Activities and Issues) |
1. 16 health facilities provided with ICT services
2. Appropriate e-health content and services are produced and used including 2 CD-ROMS
3. Staff skills enhanced in health care, ICT use, and basic e center maintenance
4. Outcome of e-centers assessed and shared including lessons and cost implications.
|
TA completed. The inception mission was fielded in July 2008. Four review missions undertaken including final review mission on 24-26 March 2010.
Training needs analysis and baseline surveys completed.
e-Center Technical Architecture; website design; ICT and e-health Training Plan - all approved. Technical Procurement completed. The Xieng Khoung network installation and training was completed by 2 October 2009 and by 6 November 2009 in Savannakhet. A formal launch of the network was held on 25 January 2010 in Xieng Khoung and 1 February 2010 in Savannakhet.
Training CDROMs trialed in pilot provinces in June 2009 and finalized in July 2009. Final report of consultant was submitted 18 August 2009.
Website populated with current health content. Workshop to discuss website management held on 3 October 2009 and website administration training course held 30 March 2010.
The regulation on operating procedures and access for the e-Centers was approved on 1 December 2009. The regulation covers the operating hours, charge rates, and fund management. The regulation was discussed at the formal launch and again at the refresher training. The refresher trainings were conducted in February-March 2010.
The planned period of piloting was 11 months. 'Soft' piloting starting at installation totaled 6 months in Xieng Khouang and five months in Savannakhet. Formal piloting was only two months. The period of the formal pilot phase was inconclusive to provide results but feedback and review since installation is positive.
Provincial final review workshops conducted in Xieng Xieng Khouang on 11-12 March 2010 and on 19-20 March 2010 in Savannakhet. Final review workshop conducted in Vientiane on 23-24 March 2010.
Final reports from consultants on IT network, training and monitoring and evaluation submitted and are publicly available.
|
|
| Geographical Location |
16 district hospitals and health centers in the pilot provinces of Savannakhet and Xieng Khouang |
| Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects |
N/A
|
| Responsible ADB Officer |
Wendy Duncan
|
| Responsible ADB Department |
Southeast Asia Department
|
| Responsible ADB Division |
Human and Social Development Division, SERD
|
| Concept Clearance |
18 Jun 2007 |
| Fact-finding |
01 Oct 2007
to 04 Oct 2007
|
| Approval |
29 Jan 2008 |
| ADB |
Others |
Gov |
Total |
Approved Amount |
Revised Amount |
|
$0.00
|
$0.00
|
$100,000.00
|
$100,000.00
|
$500,000.00
|
$480,545.50
|
| Total Commitment |
Uncommited Balance |
Total Disbursement |
Undisbursed Balance |
|
$480,545.50
|
$19,454.50
|
$480,545.50
|
$19,454.50
|
|
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