NDMC to Offer Training on Data Science
The National Data Management Center for Health, under the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, has made a big step to give training on data science. Since last Thursday, a group of experts have camped at Hawassa to finalize the preparation of training modules on the basics of data science and to lay a foundation for the inception of developing training on advanced data science Meanwhile, EPHI’s training center has been the baron in assisting, coordinating and reviewing preparation of the manual.
The Basics of Data Science and Advanced Data Science trainings are the trainings planned to be delivered, and are designed with some purposes. First, the training is aimed to address the major knowledge gaps on the management of health data. Second, it will play a pivotal role in bringing changes on the poor habit of data usage for analysis of different health challenges and to generate strong evidence to inform high level decisions. Third, it aims to bring radical changes on the use of unstructured health data and on health information system in Ethiopia. Apparently, the modes of deliveries for the training are face- to-face and online sessions, and that will be determined by the preference and physical presences of trainees. Given that it is expected to be launched during November 2021, the training will be conducted in a state of the art national training center of EPHI that integrates data science lab.
Considering the interdisciplinary nature of health data science, the experts involved in the preparation of the syllabus and manual are from different backgrounds and institutions. Provided that, NDMC has assigned some of its experts for the whole task, the inclusion and consultation of different experts has been found imperative. In that regard, Prof. Tadesse Awoke and Dr. Adane Letta from the University of Gondor; Basiliyos Betru from Jimma University; Dr. Yabibal Fantaye from 10 academy and P2P; Dr. Addisu Gezahign and Dr. Robel Tezera from Addis Ababa University; Mohammed Ahimed, Firewieni G/hiwot, and Dr. Feven Tadesse from National Training Center of EPHI; Latera Tesfaye, Nahom Alemseged, Rediet Million, Kemal Sherefa, and Dr. Alemnesh Hailemariam Mirkuzie from NDMC are experts who have worked on preparation of the manual.