Scale is a big topic when discussing ICT4D, M4D, mHealth, ICT4Ag, ICT4E, etc. Reaching scale can be approached from different angles by focusing on simple, turnkey solutions, or within a program. Either way, the aim is to apply an ICT-supported program to big populations and achieve (financial) sustainability. But how are you successfully reaching this next milestone in digitally supported programs?
This webinar, part of an ongoing series around ICT4D, features two presentations by global NGOs: World Vision will share its experience using the MAPS toolkit to assess progression towards readiness for scale, and Catholic Relief Services will share its firsthand lessons learned when distributing non-food items on large scale. Following the presentations, the webinar audience will have an opportunity to ask questions or join the discussion.
Ensuring Scalability: MAPS (mHealth Assessment and Planning for Scale) Toolkit
As projects approach the transition stage from proof of concept to showing a reliable coverage of an area, such as a district or province, one of the questions is the viability of scaling up. In partnership with John Hopkins University, World Vision International conducted assessment of mHealth-supported programs in India, Sierra Leone, and Uganda using the structured framework offered by the MAPS (mHealth Assessment and Planning for Scale) Toolkit. Based on data collection the toolkit assesses strengths and weaknesses of a project across multiple areas (partnerships, technology, financial health). This presentation will share World Vision's lessons learned of the MAPS assessment and when it is particularly successful for data-based for decision making.
Case Study: Distributing 3+ million bed nets in Nigeria
In much of sub-Saharan Africa, malaria is common but preventable by using mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide. CRS will share its experiences in leveraging technology to support the distribution of over three million bed nets to more than one million households in Nigeria by over 20,000 staff. To support this, 6,000 technology kits were used, each consisting of a smartphone, integrated solar charger and battery pack, SIM cards, and a charger.
CRS will share its lessons learned to date, challenges to scaling, and results of the initial full-scale campaign.
 | Dr. Annette E. Ghee, Global Technical Director for Design, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, World Vision International |
| Nathan Barthel, Sr. Project Manager, Global Knowledge & Information Management, Catholic Relief Services | |
| Elijah Egwu, ICT4D Specialist, Global Fund Nigeria, Catholic Relief Services | |
| Kanishka Katara, Director - Government & Partnerships, Dimagi India |
| Darlene Irby, Senior Director Global Practices and Innovations, QED Group |
Dr. Annette E. Ghee, Global Technical Director for Design, Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, World Vision International
Annette leads a team that provides M&E support to World Visions portfolio of programs addressing Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Nutrition and Water Sanitation, and Hygiene. Annette focuses on performance metrics related to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, and to Digital Health, and how to align these with evolving global measurement standards, including the SDGs.
With more than 30 years of experience working in global health, Annette holds a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Washington where her focus was on socio-behavioral risks related to HIV/STI and reproductive health in the developing world.
Prior to joining World Vision in 2007, she supported global health programs while working at the University of Washington and with both the Western Pacific and Latin American regional offices of the WHO.
Nathan Barthel, Senior Project Manager, Global Knowledge & Information Management, Catholic Relief Services
Nate joined CRS in 2013 and leads ICT4D Project Services which act as an internal professional services team helping CRS projects around the globe to leverage technology to improve programming. He is also currently responsible for the technical oversight of CRSs largest ICT4D effort, supporting the 2017 Nigeria LLIN Mass Campaign.
Prior to joining CRS, Nate worked as IT project manager at the Kaizen Company, a Washington, D.C.-based USAID contractor with extensive work in the Middle East. He also worked at Grantium, Inc. as Implementation Manager and MITRE, Inc. as Communications Engineer. Nate holds a Bachelors degree in electrical engineering from Bucknell University, and a Masters degree in foreign service (International Affairs) from Georgetown University. Nate lives in Silver Spring, MD, with his wife and two children.
Elijah Egwu, ICT4D Specialist, Global Fund Nigeria, Catholic Relief Services
A trained professional in information and communications technology with over 11 years working experience and still counting, a Microsoft Certified Professional, graduate of Physics and a cyber security expert having earned a certificate course in Cyber Security and its ten domains from Kennesaw State University, United States. Elijah has provided diverse ICT and ICT4D innovative solutions, technical support, management and administration to both local and international organizations. Before joining CRS, he had previously worked with Family Health International 360 managing ICT Operations in areas of ICT Infrastructure maintenance, software development, android software development, databases management, networking, Microsoft Desktop Applications, server & PC installations, troubleshooting and configuring of both hardware and software. He is passionate about developing innovative technological solutions to resolve our daily biggest challenges.
Darlene Irby, Senior Director Global Practices and Innovations, QED Group
Darlene has over 13 years of experience in International Development in global health technology and strategic information, and an additional 10+ years of experience in domestic health care through senior positions at Georgetown and George Washington University. Darlene is responsible for leveraging QEDs experience in global health, monitoring, evaluation, and learning, and the data/innovation to enter new markets and business areas, and for developing innovative approaches and solutions to expand information technology across QED practice areas.
Prior to working at QED, she was the Senior Practice Director and Director of Informatics at Palladium where she led a global informatics portfolio of 150 staff and 20+ prime and sub-partner projects across 15 countries. She also served as Principal and Co-Principal Investigator for Strategic Information projects covering Haiti, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Zambia, Cambodia, and Tanzania. She has effectively deployed digital and mobile systems at over 1,000 sites and facilitated the effective design of scalable, interoperable technologies including mobile, OpenHIE, DHIS2, and point-of-care/EMRs.
