Integrated Data Management and Analysis for Informed Public Health Decision-Making in Ukraine under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) - The purpose of this project is to enable the Public Health Center (PHC) of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine to effectively leverage strategic information for decision-making. PATH will collaborate with the PHC to strengthen national HIV/AIDS program data management and analysis capacity, leading to enhanced quality, accessibility, and application of SI for evidence-based decision-making. We will support the use of data-driven insights to bolster HIV prevention and treatment programs in Ukraine, identifying areas for improvement, and enhancing program coverage and effectiveness. PATH has operated in Ukraine for 30 years and has a deep understanding of the state of the country’s health information and disease surveillance systems specifically in HIV/AIDS and the challenges that the PHC currently faces to use data for decision-making. Due to the ongoing war with Russia, the accuracy and completeness of HIV data have decreased and the PHC and stakeholders lack the necessary information to make timely and strategic decisions to improve care for people living with HIV and achieve epidemic control of HIV in Ukraine. The availability and effective use of accurate, timely, and relevant data will be crucial for evidence-based decision-making, resource allocation, program planning, and monitoring of HIV prevention and treatment services, especially during the health systems recovery period. To develop the approach for this project, we drew from PATH’s experience and expertise in enhancing data management systems within the Ukrainian public health context, and in multiple countries in Asia and Africa. We drew from our experience utilizing advanced data analysis techniques to inform evidence-based decision-making and building the capacity of health care staff in data management, advanced data analytics, and the use of geospatial tools. PATH’s work will be led by our principal investigator/project director, Roman Rodyna who has 25 years of experience managing complex programs focused on data management and analysis in the areas of infectious diseases and HIV in Ukraine. He will be supported by other Ukrainian staff in PATH’s Ukraine Country office in Kyiv who also have deep relationships with PHC staff, local civil society organizations serving key populations, and international organizations operating in Ukraine; and expertise in managing large grants and complex projects. Through our country-led, collaborative, and adaptive approach, we will achieve improved accountability and transparency in data management practices; increased efficiency in addressing HIV-related challenges through advancements in data analysis; enhanced capacity for real-time monitoring and response to HIV outbreaks and epidemiological changes; improved data confidentiality and security; and increased utilization of the strategic information portal, leading to more informed decision-making. Using human-centered design approaches we will ensure that all approaches, policies, technology platforms, and trainings developed as part of this project reflect stakeholder priorities and requirements and are appropriate for the Ukrainian context.
