Training Course on GIS For Health Sector Programme Management

Module 1: Introduction to GIS and Spatial Data in Health
Fundamentals of GIS
Definition, components, and functions of GIS.
Key concepts: spatial data, layers, coordinates, and projections.
Importance in Health Sector Management
How GIS informs decision-making, planning, and resource allocation.
Case examples: disease mapping, service coverage, and outbreak response.
Types of Spatial Data
Vector data (points, lines, polygons) and raster data (grids, images).
Attribute data and its integration with spatial layers.
Activity: Explore sample health datasets, plot basic maps, and identify geographic patterns in health service delivery.

Module 2: GIS Data Collection and Management
Sources of Health Data
Facility-based data, community surveys, mobile health data, and administrative records.
Data Cleaning and Validation
Ensuring accuracy, consistency, and completeness of spatial and attribute data.
Georeferencing health facilities, patient locations, and service points.
Database Management and Integration
Creating geodatabases for efficient storage and retrieval.
Integrating multiple data sources for comprehensive analysis.
Workshop: Build a geodatabase for a hypothetical health program, including mapping of health facilities and service points.

Module 3: Spatial Analysis for Health Programs
Mapping Disease Distribution
Identifying disease hotspots and patterns.
Using heat maps and choropleth maps for visualization.
Access and Resource Analysis
Measuring distances and travel times to health facilities.
Optimizing placement of clinics, mobile units, or vaccination sites.
Spatial Statistics and Trend Analysis
Cluster analysis, density mapping, and spatial autocorrelation.
Detecting trends and anomalies in health data.
Exercise: Perform spatial analysis of a simulated disease outbreak to prioritize intervention areas and target resources effectively.

Module 4: GIS for Monitoring and Evaluation
Program Monitoring with GIS
Tracking coverage, performance indicators, and service delivery trends.
Visualizing changes over time using spatial-temporal mapping.
Integration with Dashboards and Reports
Linking GIS outputs to dashboards for decision-makers.
Customizing maps and charts for stakeholder presentations.
Data Interpretation and Actionable Insights
Using maps to guide programmatic decisions, policy adjustments, and resource allocation.
Simulation: Develop GIS-based dashboards and maps to monitor a public health intervention, e.g., vaccination or maternal health program.

Module 5: GIS Applications in Health Planning and Policy
Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation
Applying GIS to optimize locations of health facilities and mobile units.
Scenario planning for epidemic response and emergency preparedness.
Case Studies
Use of GIS in immunization campaigns, maternal and child health programs, and infectious disease control.
Emerging Trends and Innovations
Mobile GIS, real-time mapping, predictive modeling, and AI integration.
Leveraging GIS for precision public health and evidence-based policy.
Capstone Project: Design a comprehensive GIS-based health program management plan, including mapping, spatial analysis, monitoring, and
recommendations for resource allocation and decision-making