Healthy Mother, Healthy Baby mHealth Tool Discovery | USAID

The program aimed to assess existing mHealth tools in Tajikistan and identify opportunities for the HMHB project to utilize these tools. The research focused on the health domain, particularly maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH), and capacity building of medical staff and support to facilities tied to the program. A qualitative approach was used, involving desk research, key informant interviews, and data collection from various organizations and government agencies. The assessment identified several existing mHealth tools in Tajikistan, including HMIS (DHIS2), WFP SCOPE CODA, WHO Hospital care pocket book, Healthy Youth, mHealth, ActivityInfo, and Yakdu.tj. These tools were evaluated based on their scale, purpose, and challenges. HMIS (DHIS2) is a data management and analysis tool used for health program monitoring and evaluation, human resources, and service availability mapping. It is currently used by the Tajikistan government and UNDP, with funding from the European Union. The tool reports on aggregate data collected and entered into the system at the district level. WFP SCOPE CODA is a nutrition-focused mHealth tool used by the World Food Program (WFP) in Tajikistan. The project is set to expire in June 2021. WHO Hospital care pocket book is an integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) tool available on the Play store in multiple languages, including Tajik. Healthy Youth is a reproductive health-focused mHealth tool developed by the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Tajik Family Planning Association. However, the tool is currently paused, awaiting an updated release. mHealth is a maternal nutrition and child health-focused tool used by Mercy Corps and T-cell, with support from USAID, UNICEF, and the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MoHSPP) of Tajikistan. The tool has been discontinued. ActivityInfo is a monitoring and evaluation software used by UNICEF in Tajikistan. The tool is currently in a pilot phase and has yet to be fully operationalized. Yakdu.tj is a private app developed by the Yakdu team through multiple funders, connecting doctors, clinics, and patients. The tool is operational on the website https://yakdu.tj/. The assessment also highlighted the challenges faced by mHealth tools in Tajikistan, including limited digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure, and security concerns. The report provides recommendations for the HMHB project to utilize existing mHealth tools and develop new ones to support the program's objectives. The research was conducted in April 2021, and the report was submitted on April 15, 2021. The geographic coverage of the assessment includes Khatlon Province, with a focus on the districts of Balkhti, Dusti, Jayhun, Jomi, Khuroson, Kushoniyon, N. Khusrav, Quobidiyon, Shahrituz, Vakhsh, and Yovon.