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Volume 31, Number 1—January 2025
Online Report

Development and Implementation of a Public Health Event Management System, Nigeria, 2018–2024

James Elston1Comments to Author , Womi-Eteng Oboma Eteng1, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Isabel Oliver, Everistus Aniaku, Anwar Abubakar, Christopher T. Lee, Emmanuel Benyeogor, Iain Roddick, Sophie Logan, Ebere Okereke, Leena Inamdar, Olusola Aruna, Rejoice Luka-Lawal, Christine Manthey, Lawrence Hinkle, Gloria Nunez, Emmanuel Agogo, Rabi Usman, Emmanuel Lucky Sunday, Muntari Hassan, John Oladejo, and Ifedayo Adetifa
Author affiliation: United Kingdom Health Security Agency, London, UK (J. Elston, I. Oliver, I. Roddick, S. Logan, L. Inamdar, O. Aruna); Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (W.-E.O. Eteng); Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Abuja, Nigeria (W.-E.O. Eteng, C. Ihekweazu, E. Ariaku, A. Abubakar, E. Benyeogor, R. Luka-Lawal, E.L. Sunday, M. Hassan, J. Oladejo, I. Adetifa); World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland (C. Ihekweazu); Resolve to Save Lives, New York, New York, USA (C.T. Lee, G. Nunez); Reaching the Last Mile Foundation, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (E. Okereke); Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (C. Manthey); CDC Foundation, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (L. Hinkle); Resolve to Save Lives, Abuja, Nigeria (E. Agogo, R. Usman)

Main Article

Table 2

Key enablers identified for the successful implementation of SITAware, the public health event management system developed and implemented in Nigeria, 2018–2024*

Key enabler for success Description
Needs based and co-creation approach
 SITAware was developed jointly by UKHSA and NCDC to meet NCDC’s identified needs. From initial conception to implementation of the system and system upgrades, the needs of NCDC and users were central to system design and technology adaption. Needs were clearly communicated and a process for periodic updates and progress review were set up.
Local institutional ownership of the system
 Although SITAware was co-developed, NCDC ownership was ensured in contractual arrangements including full access to backend codes and other administrative privileges within the system. System installation and operation were embedded into existing institutional IT infrastructure using a locally defined protocol. Clearly defined ownership and leadership resulted in the implementation of the system and buy-in by users.
Leveraging an existing software
 Adaptation of an existing tool ensured initial development was grounded in a demonstrable, concrete concept and that the system was useable from the outset adapting from a proven platform. Although adaptation may not be essential for the successful development of a new EMS, clarity on and emulation of functionality enabled implementation in this scenario.
Embedding within and enhancing surveillance workflows and processes
 Ensuring the system would complement and enhance existing workflows and clearly defining the use case was important. In this scenario, SITAware was 1 of several concurrent enhancements to implement EMS though integration within existing processes and systems and was considered a critical enabler.
Providing of technical and holistic user support Clearly defined leadership (including system champions and technical working group leads), provision of user training (initial user training and reinforcement), mentorship, supporting materials and technical support remain crucial to embedding and improving the use of SITAware and remains works in progress. Ensuring such provision at the outset and over the long term, ideally including consideration of additional and dedicated human resources to support implementation, is perceived as a critical success factor.

*EMS, event management system; IT, information and technology; NCDC, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention; UKHSA, United Kingdom health security agency

Main Article

1These authors are co–first authors

Page created: December 16, 2024
Page updated: December 22, 2024
Page reviewed: December 22, 2024
The conclusions, findings, and opinions expressed by authors contributing to this journal do not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Public Health Service, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the authors' affiliated institutions. Use of trade names is for identification only and does not imply endorsement by any of the groups named above.
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