Technical Note on Leveraging COVID-19 Response Mechanism Investments for Geographic Information Systems
01 June 2021
In support to the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM), WHO and UNICEF have issued a technical information note on leveraging C19RM funds to invest in geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial data with the aim of optimizing national COVID-19 responses and mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on HIV, tuberculosis and malaria, and on health and community systems strengthening.
The guidance maps eligible C19RM investments in spatial data, for example georeferenced master lists of facilities and community health workers, and support to capacity building and institutionalization of the use of spatial data against the WHO COVID-19 pillars and relevant Global Fund technical guidance. To support countries in the development of their C19RM funding requests, the guidance includes information on:
- optimizing the COVID-19 response (GIS-based microplanning to optimize deployment of testing, treatment, oxygen/respiratory care, vaccine rollout, personal protective equipment, risk communication and community engagement);
- mitigation of the effects of COVID-19 on the three diseases (GIS-based microplanning for optimizing malaria campaigns, HIV testing and testing services, active case detection for TB); and
- health and community system strengthening.
More information is available on the WHO GIS Knowledge Webseries website.