Optimize: Guatemala Report

This report presents the results and lessons learned in a collaborative effort between the Guatemala Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), the Pan American Health Organization, and project Optimize. The primary MSPAS departments involved were the National Immunization Program and the Health Information Management System (SIGSA).

The demonstration project attempted to respond to the challenge of introducing new vaccines in Guatemala by implementing an information system for managing individual vaccination records and logistics. For this purpose, two integrated modules were created in the health information system “SIGSA Web.”

This information system was initially implemented as a demonstration project in the Ixil Health Area before being scaled up to the rest of the country. However, the success of this implementation was not complete. Although the individual records system and other modules worked well, several operational obstacles occurred that prevented them from optimal implementation. At the end of 2012, the new government was assessing alternatives to SIGSA Web, which places its future as a unified health system in Guatemala in doubt. Nonetheless, the logistical system was accepted as a model and platform for management of all other medications and health products.

Accomplishments were made in regard to each of the proposed objectives, while future work remains. The demonstration project also generated lessons learned that may help guide future initiatives.

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