Aung Thura Htoo

Hello Tanaphum, yes, IT has enhanced the way we described the outbreaks (patients, locations and time) by making more efficient in the way we collect and organize data. Besides, it enhances not only by making it easier but also more accurate and timely.

Hello Aye, I agree with you that IT can enhance various aspects of outbreak investigation. Like you mentioned above, IT can assist in timely data collection and communication across different rapid response team, and enhance the process of data analysis, resulting in earlier detection and rapid response.

Areas for improvements in Myanmar for future global health security during pandemics, using digital health:

Team: It is one of the challenging themes for the country. Due to decades of conflicts and political instability, the collaboration between different stakeholders were literally non-existent across the different regions. The flow of data…[Read more]

There are eight PEHIC declarations from 2005 to 2024.
1. H1N1 (Swine Flu) pandemic – 2009-2010
2. Polio – since 2014
3. Ebola in Western Africa – 2013-2016
4. Zika Epidemic – 2015-2016
5. Kivu Ebola epidemic – 2018-2020
6. COVID-19 pandemic – 2020-2023
7. Clade II Mpox outbreaks – 2022-2023
8. Clade I Mpox outbreaks – 2024 – p…[Read more]

Hello Aye, yes, we always use data visualization tools for better understanding of the data and comprehension of the information and insights, however, we usually forget their roles and significance. Thank you for highlighting the importance of those tools in outbreak monitoring and disease surveillance. They are the tools that can be tailored to…[Read more]

Hello Cing, yes, I agree with you that telemedicine has proven its insignificance during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the highly infectious period, it would be hard for the patients with vulnerable conditions to seek health consultations. Using tele-consultation using online video conferencing application can overcome this challenge. Besides, it…[Read more]

Hello Wannisa, thank you for highlighting the significance of machine learning in modern epidemic surveillance. Yes, I agree with you that it would be rather hard, handy, and long to analyze increasing number of big and online data using traditional method. On the other hand, applying machine learning technique can overcome this challenge and…[Read more]

Hello Wannisa, yes, dissemination of information related to outbreaks should be targeted not only to health care professionals but also to the public. Like you mentioned, using tools like ProMED, and Healthmap can assist healthcare officials in notifying them of the events related to outbreaks. But online dashboard and social media campaign like…[Read more]

Hello Aye, yes, I agree with your reasoning behind choosing community based surveillance against hospital based surveillance. Your reasoning focuses on the actively seeking of monkeypox cases in the community, because you consider waiting them to show symptoms and admit them to the medical facilities would be too late for the response time.…[Read more]

Hello Cing, yes, I agree with you that the type of surveillance system depends on the nature of the disease or conditions being monitored. Additionally, it is a good idea to choose case-based surveillance for monkeypox due to its having few cases currently. Besides, both ProMed and HealthMap are great tools to disseminate faster information…[Read more]

According to Chung et al. (2024), the Korean surveillance system on acute hepatitis B rated high on data quality and timeliness and has high predictive value (94.4%). However, there are some areas needed to be improved, especially in misreporting of chronic cases, and the system’s usefulness.

Misreporting of chronic cases: According to Chung et…[Read more]

Information Technology (IT) can be applied throughout the outbreak investigation process to improve their efficiency. There are four steps in outbreak investigation: verification and preparation, description of the outbreak, hypothesis testing, and response and action.

Verification & Preparation: When establishing and verifying the outbreak,…[Read more]

Hello Aye, yes, it is our responsibility to ask for their data-sharing policies like data protection policy and their preventive measures. Additionally, converting our data so that they cannot be personally identifiable is also a great first step in data-sharing while protecting the privacy of the patient.

Hello Wannisa, yes, it is our responsibility to protect PII of our health information. Even when sharing data, the data should be aggregated and anonymized. Additionally, we should follow a systematic approach like formal request, approval from ethical review boards, legal agreement with security measures. Besides, monitoring their security and…[Read more]

Hello Siriluk, yes, it is a good thing to always consider not only ethical but also legal implications of data sharing. Like you mentioned, having a legal contract when sharing data would enhance responsibility as well as accountability of our actions.

Hello Aye, thank you for highlight the significance of “do no harm” principle. Yes, disclosing one’s health inforamtion to other will do more harm than good. Even in this situation, disclosing the information will severe the relation between your friend and her husband. Additionally, respecting the patient’s decision when and how to disclose their…[Read more]

Hello Wannisa, yes, like you mentioned in your answer number 4, healthcare providers of your close friend’s husband might have already discussed the matter with the patient as well, so respecting the professional nature of your co-workers or fellow healthcare provider would be a great factor as well in this situation. Additionally, even though it…[Read more]

Hello Siriluk, yes, I agree with your decision not to disclose the information to the your close friend. Respecting self-determination of your close friend’s husband and the confidentiality as well as being professional in your work are the great attributes of a health informatics.

The article by Jobie Budd et al. (2020) highlighted the significance of technology and its role in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their applications range from rapid case detection, epidemiological surveillance, to the use of social media platforms to spread health information.

Among them, I like the application of low-power Bluetooth…[Read more]

Hello Aye, yes, effective communication between M&E team and pharmacy staff is one of the good step in change management. Additionally, it is a good thing to recognize and reward as well as hold accountable for the change management. It would have been a great project, but technical difficulties were one of the great barrier to the success in this…