Introduction
The purpose of this implementation manual is to provide a comprehensive guide for introducing and implementing SORMAS in a new country. It aims to support project teams and stakeholders in navigating the various stages of the implementation process, from initial needs assessment to full-scale deployment. The manual outlines the key components, activities, and considerations necessary for a successful implementation, ensuring that SORMAS is effectively customized, integrated into the country's disease surveillance and outbreak response systems, and aligned with national health priorities.
...
We have developed generic Terms of reference for the needs assessment that can be downloaded [here].
Costing
Estimating the financial resources required for various aspects of introducing and running SORMAS is a crucial step in the implementation process. This includes assessing costs associated with software procurement, customization, hardware, training, maintenance, and ongoing support. A comprehensive cost estimate allows for an accurate assessment of the financial implications associated with implementing SORMAS, taking into consideration not only the initial implementation costs but also the long-term sustainability and maintenance expenses.
...
To achieve long-term success and sustainability of digital health interventions like SORMAS in low-resource settings, it is crucial to accurately plan for expenditures throughout the intervention's lifecycle. This entails understanding and documenting all costs associated with owning and operating the technology, commonly referred to as the total cost of ownership (TCO). To assist with budgeting and benchmarking resources, we recommend using the Digital Square's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Tool, which provides valuable insights to develop more realistic budgets. You can access and download the tool hereat https://digitalsquare.org/tco-tool.
By utilizing the TCO tool and incorporating accurate cost estimation and budgeting practices, the implementation of SORMAS can be effectively planned and managed, ensuring the availability of necessary resources and maximizing the long-term impact of the intervention.
...
Clearly define the project's scope, including the specific goals to be achieved through the introduction and implementation of SORMAS. This helps to align the project with the country's disease surveillance, outbreak response priorities and data protection regulations. This will ensure a mutual understanding among all stakeholders. You can download [here] a generic logical framework to be adapted or tailored to fit your specific project requirements.
...
Develop a detailed implementation plan that outlines the key activities, milestones, and deadlines associated with the implementation of SORMAS. This allows for effective project tracking, ensuring that tasks are completed in a timely manner and dependencies are effectively managed. You can download [here] a generic chronogram with the main activities to carry out to adapt to your requirements.
...
Project Team | Responsibilities |
Director/Lead | Receives briefs and reports on all programme activities and operations, gives organizational approvals on programme activities and decision-making. |
Director of Surveillance and Epidemiology Department
| Gives guidance and direction on conduct of operations, and implementation of programme activities. Gives departmental approvals on programme activities and decision-making. |
Programme/project lead | Manages day-to-day operations of the SORMAS programme and ensures the effective implementation of programme activities. Monitors and supervises project staff and activities |
IT Managers/Experts | Manage and supervise day-to-day operations regarding operations of the SORMAS platform including system development, software improvements, and data quality. Ensures implementation of activities regarding Information Technology on the SORMAS platform. |
IT Software Developers | Carry out implementation of operations on system development and system improvements. Work with IT-Managers and IT analysts to ensure day-to-day running of system operations. |
IT Analysts | Identify and resolve/escalate all IT issues (bugs and errors) on the SORMAS platform, produce documents on user-guides, user-needs and requirements, and programme program activity implementation. Propose and support the implementation of SORMAS platform activities such as system design and system improvements. |
Data Analysts | Identify and resolve all issues on data quality. Analyze data and work with NPHI subnational liaison officers to ensure that data on the platform is real-time, up-to-date, and clean. Supervise activities of field users from all regions and districts of the country, on use of SORMAS platform for reporting. Support disease Technical Working Groups on data triangulation and interpretation. |
Device and accessory managers | Keeps track of SORMAS devices and their use by field users. Keeps track on supply of internet data bundle and its use by field users. Provides regular reports to the SORMAS programme lead on device and internet data bundle management. |
National Liaison coordinator | Monitors and supervises activities of subnational liaison officers. Works with SORMAS programme lead and SORMAS IT managers to ensure that all difficulties experienced by subnational liaison officers regarding SORMAS programme implementation are resolved. |
Subnational Liaison Officers | Supports activities of surveillance and data reporting on the SORMAS platform in respective regions of the country. Works closely with Subnational Epidemiologists and Subnational Data managers to ensure that data on the platform is real-time, and up to date. |
Subnational Epidemiologists | Manages surveillance and epidemiology activities at the regional level. Conducts supervision of District Disease Notification Officers, and Health facility informants, and Laboratory officers. |
Subnational Data managers | Supervises data collection and reporting by field users at the subnational level. Monitors and evaluates data reported on the SORMAS platform. |
Field users | Conduct surveillance activities in districts, communities, and health facilities. Reports data real-time on the SORMAS platform |
Partners | Provide financial and technical support to ensure sustainability of operations |
...
The mobile app interacts with the Payara server via a REST API and runs on Android mobile devices and tablets (Andriod 8.0 Oreo). The Vaadin-based web app runs directly on the Payara server, can be used with all common browsers, and is optimised optimized for use with PCs.
The individual source code repositories, backlogs and specifications are managed and documented on GitHub (https://github.com/hzisormas-braunschweigfoundation).
In the SORMAS-Docker sub-project project (https://github.com/hzi-braunschweig/SORMAS-Docker and https://hub.docker.com/orgs/hzibraunschweig), prefabricated prefabricated container images are provided. These container images serve as the basis for all current SORMAS installations, both nationally and internationally.
Server setup instructions are also provided on GitHub GitHub (https://github.com/hzibraunschweig/SORMAS-Project/blob/development/docs/SERVER_SETUP.md), as well as server update instructions instructions (https://github.com/hzi-braunschweig/SORMASProject/blob/development/docs/SERVER_UPDATE.md).
It is an important tool for public health institutions, and it requires a robust and reliable server to function effectively. This document provides guidance on the server requirements for SORMAS and best practices for setting up the server and IT infrastructure.
...