Second Monitoring and Evaluation Trial of Indonesia's National Infectious Disease Surveillance System (EWARS: Early Warning Alert and Response System)

Between May 14 and 16, 2025, the JICA EWARS Project (Project for Strengthening Capacity for Early Warning and Response to Infectious Diseases) conducted the second monitoring and evaluation (MONEV) trial of EWARS in Banten Province. This activity was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH), following the first trial in East Kalimantan Province in February 2025 (https://www.jica.go.jp/english/overseas/indonesia/information/press/2024/1564322_53433.html).

Following the first trial, the EWARS Project extensively amended the MONEV guidelines through a series of meetings with the MOH and WHO Indonesia, incorporating insights from the first activity. For instance, assessment sheet questions that posed challenges in interpretation and response for evaluators and respondents were revised for better clarity, along with corresponding updates to the online data entry forms. User manuals and preparation checklists were also refined to provide more specific and detailed guidance based on feedback from first-trial participants. Additionally, WHO Indonesia and the EWARS Project collaborated to create online dashboards that visualize assessment results, allowing for more streamlined data analysis. These dashboards are expected to support effective, data-driven communication among stakeholders.

Using the updated MONEV guidelines, a pre-trial briefing for representatives from subnational authorities in Banten was more extensive than the previous trial, reflecting lessons learnt. During the on-site evaluation, the joint evaluation team visited four locations: one provincial health office, one city health office (South Tangerang), and two Puskesmas (Rawa Mekar Jaya and Benda Baru). After completing interviews, evaluators prepared assessment summaries using an updated Excel format and provided feedback to respondents. On the final day, all relevant stakeholders gathered for a wrap-up session, during which they made joint recommendations for future MONEV activities. This trial was introduced by the South Tangerang City Health Office on its Instagram account (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJvLNIoyPYl/?igsh=ZnVlbzc4ZnZjcXJx).

Overall, the second trial was successfully conducted, with shorter evaluation times and enhance usage of the developed MONEV tools. These improvements are attributable to the guideline revisions and careful advance preparation, indicating better operational efficiency and increased feasibility of EWARS MONEV activities. Participants gave EWARS MONEV an average rating of 5 out of 5 for its usefulness in strengthening surveillance and 4.4 out of 5 for its practicality in periodic implementation, indicating great satisfaction with their engagement in the trial. By the end of the project, the JICA EWARS Project hopes to have finalized the EWARS MONEV guidelines and related online tools in close collaboration with the MOH and WHO Indonesia.