Data for decision making

In order to define where to focus efforts on any process, it is necessary to know the situations from different points of view and to jointly prioritize the needs. Data becomes indispensable in this scenario.

We always have to ask ourselves: What are the data we are collecting for? Who is this information going to benefit? What is the best way to ask and who is going to be responsible for collecting the information? Does this data or information make sense in the context where we work?

For this information collection and analysis process, within the framework of the health model, we have designed an information system based on free software that allows for offline data entry and later synchronization with a cloud-based platform. There we collect data at the individual, family and community level and it allows us to see the most critical components and discuss them with the communities and health institutions to make decisions together on how to carry out interventions. 

The challenges are enormous in the Colombian Amazon because a good part of the communities does not have electricity and let alone connectivity to a phone signal and/or internet. Many times, we have used rechargeable solar panels with batteries or even carried electric generators to reduce the duplication of efforts in the registration of information.

The data is also shared through an Amazonian health observatory that allows more people to know the health situation of these communities.