The Importance of Up-to-Date Health Facility Databases in Africa

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps in reliable information about health facilities across sub-Saharan Africa. During the surge of emergency healthcare needs, many essential data points—such as location, bed capacity, oxygen availability, and availability of medical specialists—were often missing. This information is crucial for assessing hospital surge capacity and ensuring geographic access to critical care. Researchers Peter Macharia and Emelda Okiro, who focus on public health and equitable healthcare in resource-limited settings, presented findings from their recent study highlighting these issues.

Open health facility databases are vital tools that list all healthcare service points within a country or region. These databases include each facility’s unique identifier, name, size, type (from primary clinics to tertiary hospitals), ownership (public or private), operational status, location details, services offered (e.g., emergency obstetric care), capacity (like bed count), infrastructure features (such as electricity), and contact information. They are ideally compiled through comprehensive census methods, as demonstrated in Kenya’s 2023 exercise, though many countries rely on existing lists, which may be incomplete.

Having accessible facility lists benefits individuals and communities by aiding healthcare choices and guiding resource allocation. For example, community health worker placement decisions and immunization microplans depend on accurate facility data. These lists improve emergency response by enabling quick identification of facilities equipped for specific crises and support disease surveillance.

At the continental level, such databases help coordinate responses during pandemics and cross-border health threats. During COVID-19, these lists informed where to establish additional facilities or allocate transportation resources for vulnerable populations. They are also crucial for reaching emergency obstetric and newborn care, ensuring those in need can access timely services.

Without reliable health facility data, planning becomes inefficient, resource wastage increases, and emergency responses are compromised. Multiple duplicate lists—such as the case in Nigeria—highlight the need for a unified, updated master facility list. Tanzania faced similar issues with overlapping, uncoordinated facility lists managed by various donors and agencies, underscoring the importance of government-led centralization.

Building a comprehensive health facility database involves mapping exercises, leveraging existing lists, and ensuring the health ministry takes responsible leadership for ongoing updates. Partnerships among stakeholders like donors, humanitarian agencies, technical experts, and research institutions are essential. Promoting open data practices further enhances transparency, completeness, and usability of these vital resources.

In sum, maintaining accurate, accessible, and regularly updated health facility databases is fundamental for effective healthcare delivery, especially in resource-constrained settings. It improves emergency preparedness, optimizes resource distribution, and ultimately enhances health outcomes across Africa.