The challenges facing organizations fighting Ebola

Field data plays a vital role

We started our journey with Ebola by having talking with aid organizations fighting Ebola. That’s how we met Sam Herring, who heads up data management for More Than Me.

Aid organizations need data to make decisions

Between conversations with Sam and other aid workers we learned that they were relying on data collected in the field. The data tells them what's working, where they need to direct their efforts and helps them learn from their mistakes. The data is also shared with larger organizations like WHO, who are using information from hundreds of aid organizations to make big strategic decisions.

Data collected on paper forms takes days, or sometimes weeks to become available. My biggest priority is getting data from the field faster” - Sam Herring, More Than Me

Ebola data collection is too slow

Currently aid workers are using paper forms to collect the data. Various forms are used by teams doing contact tracing, visiting quarantined houses, educational events and building case files for children orphaned as a result of Ebola.

It can take days or weeks for data to become available.

The problem is that these forms need to physically make their way back to a facility where the forms can be typed into a computer system. It can take days or weeks for the information to become accessible, which means decision makers are always playing catchup to Ebola.

Sam says that he uses PPE gloves when handling paper forms

There are other challenges too. The collected data is sometimes inaccurate - especially the location data. When processes or forms are updated, which happens frequently, there are massive delays in getting updated forms out to remote teams.