The relevance of quality data for decision-making and planning in LMIC
On the back of the One Health Congress which was held recently from October 30 to November 3 2020, Supporting Evidence-based Interventions (SEBI) hosted a One Health virtual chat to discuss the importance of data to drive decision-making and intervention planning, especially in low and middle-income countries (LMIC).
The One Health chat was hosted by Andy Peters (SEBI), and different experts from the field joined the conversation to provide their insights: Lois Muraguri (GALVmed), Sam Thevasagayam (BMGF), Mizeck Chagunda (University of Hohenheim), and Appolinaire Djikeng (CTLGH).
During the meeting, it was highlighted that data is a dynamic system that provides support and helps to respond in real-time to emerging problems, as we saw with the recent COVID-19 pandemic, where data is playing a decisive role in decision-making.
Data is a core anchor when it comes to deciding what to do and how to do it, however, the participants also addressed the need to generate and analyse quality information in a fit-for-purpose manner. In this regard, Lois Muraguri pointed out the need of working together to make sure that Policymakers are using the right information, and the appropriate interventions are designed.