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ALMANACH

Origin language: English
Cover image
Target population
Children (under 5)
Beneficiaries100001 - 500K
EvidenceBoth
Start date2016/05
End date2021/11
StageRoutine project/operational
Country
Somalia
Libya
Nigeria
Coverage
Regional
Nb of implementation sites
412
Lead organization
Implementation partners
N/A

Health Focus Area
Maternal and child health
Services
Decision Support
Enabling technologies
Low Code - No Code
Standards
N/A
Tools
Funding sources
Donors
Business model
No business model
Funders
Summary
The ALgorithms for the MANagement of CHildhood illness (ALMANACH) project is an enhanced electronic version of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI). Its primary aim is to assist healthcare providers in diagnosing and treating sick children using a step-by-step application on a tablet. The project specifically targets children under 5 years old. ALMANACH's main objective is to improve access to quality curative and preventive care for civilians, particularly children, living in areas affected by armed conflict or other situations of violence. This contributes to the broader goal of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in enhancing healthcare in conflict zones. Implemented in Nigeria from May 1, 2016 to November 30, 2021 the project is in the stage routine project/operational. It features Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) that use electronic algorithms for managing childhood illnesses. The project leverages Low Code - No Code platforms and the Community Health Toolkit. The project is led by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute and the ICRC, with the ICRC also serving as the donor. Research and publications associated with ALMANACH focus on digitalizing clinical guidelines, developing clinical decision support algorithms, incorporating point-of-care diagnostic tests in low-resource settings, and evaluating effectiveness in various contexts, such as rural Nigeria and post-conflict environments. For more information you can visit the website : https://www.swisstph.ch/en/impact-stories/in-nigeria-an-electronic-application-improves-quality-of-health-care-for-children/blog-id/32
Keywords
Electronic version of the imci
Childhood illness
Clinical Decision Support Systems CDSS CoP
Publications
Effectiveness of an electronic clinical decision support system in improving the management of childhood illness in primary care in rural Nigeria: an observational studyDigitalizing Clinical Guidelines: Experiences in the Development of Clinical Decision Support Algorithms for Management of Childhood Illness in Resource-Constrained SettingsResults from one-year use of an electronic Clinical Decision Support System in a post-conflict context: An implementation researchElectronic clinical decision support algorithms incorporating point-of-care diagnostic tests in low-resource settings: a target product profileAlmanach Factsheet
Insights - Lessons learnt
Challenges
  • Organisational evolution leading to misalignment between stakeholders
  • Lack of IT Interoperability & Evolving Landscape
  • Low connectivity and digital infrastructure

Recommendations
  • Plan ongoing technical and financial support for the maintenance of algorithms and technology well into handover stage
  • Health systems strengthening before digital health tools
  • Early engagement with the Ministry of Health to secure sustainable financing and integration with the health system structure and digital systems
  • Plan early for interoperability/integration with government ICT systems
  • Apply user-centred design along the project lifecycle
  • Plan costs from start-up to long-term maintenance to avoid gap
  • Select IT infrastructure that can be implemented locally with low technical requirements and skills
  • Define data generation strategy early with key stakeholders and define the flow of information and decision-making
  • Mutualise resources with other PHC programs to increase efficiency and cost effectiveness
  • Designate a focal point at each facility accountable for adoption, supervision and data quality/sharing in their facility

Recommendations
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iDHA (Project ID)
eloyf0
Project links
https://www.swisstph.ch/en/impact-stories/in-nigeria-an-electronic-application-improves-quality-of-health-care-for-children/blog-id/32
Origin of information
Project stakeholder
Data source link
N/A
Added to the platform on
2024-05-01
Project editors
Last update by
Emma Kettner on 2026-09-04
Number of views
115
WHO classifications
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