A conversation with Kenya Ministry of Health's Dr. Isabella Maina

Kenya is taking bold steps towards taking a more efficient approach to strengthening its health data system. With a mosaic of international partners supporting different pieces of a fragmented information system, the Ministry of Health has called on all stakeholders to work together towards one strong national system that meets all country and international data needs.

Dr. Isabella Maina, head of the Health Sector Monitoring & Evaluation Unit of the Ministry of Health, is playing a central role in furthering this agenda. With over 15 years of experience in the Kenya health sector, Dr. Maina has coordinated the development of the health sector M&E framework and guidelines for the 2014-18 period and recently organized the groundbreaking launch of the Kenya Health Data Collaborative on May 18.

Kenya is the first country in Africa to officially launch the Health Data Collaborative at the national level. The Collaborative brings together global health partners adopting a new aligned approach to working with countries to strengthen national health information systems, improve the quality of their health data and track progress toward the health-related Sustainable Development Goals. The launch event in Nairobi was attended by partners including CDC, Gavi, GIZ, Global Fund, PEPFAR, UNAIDS, UNICEF, USAID, World Bank Group, and WHO, the Collaborative's Secretariat.

Read the full article and interview with Dr. Isabella Maina here