Using Stages of Continuous Improvement (SOCI) assessments to measure Burkina Faso's HIS progression

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Burkina Faso has demonstrated positive improvements in achieving digital transformation of the country’s health information system. CHISU has the privilege of supporting the Burkinabe Ministry of Health in establishing a shared and measurable vision to bring the country’s diverse stakeholders together to fulfill this goal and ensure forward progress as technology and health challenges continue to evolve. We are partnering to do this using Health Information System (HIS) Stages of Continuous Improvement (SOCI) assessments to measure the country’s HIS progression. Burkina Faso’s first SOCI assessment in 2021 established an important baseline, identifying gaps to inform investment and action. CHISU completed a repeat SOCI in 2024, providing a measurable view of Burkina Faso’s HIS progression. 

The results from CHISU’s repeat SOCI show positive improvements in the critical components needed to advance and sustain HIS progression, including leadership and governance, standards and interoperability, and data quality and use. 

Achievements include:

• Launching Burkina Faso’s 2022-2025 National HIS Strategic Plan, which includes costing to provide concrete direction on the next steps for the country’s  HIS progression
• Adopting guiding documents to coordinate action, including an HIS skills strengthening plan to support the HIS workforce’s ability to sustainably continue HIS progression
• Establishing an interoperability layer and digital master facility list to ensure data collected at health facilities are interoperable with national health information systems, improving both data quality and the speed at which information can be used to inform public health programming
• Piloting ICD-11 nomenclature in the country so disease classification is consistent with international classifications, allowing better insight into Burkina Faso’s health service needs. 

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  Establishing a national health information architecture for community health, providing patients with more-informed and improved health care.

In July 2024, we presented SOCI findings to the Committee for Monitoring the Implementation of the National HIS Strategic Plan and recommended conducting SOCI assessments every two years to continually monitor Burkina Faso’s HIS progression. We look forward to continuing our work in Burkina Faso and seeing further HIS progression in the country as a result of our partnership.