Reliable health information is a critical requirement for the management of health systems [1,2,3]. Effective healthcare provision depends largely on timely and reliable health information, especially in the context of public health emergencies and early recovery settings [1,2,3]. Health information systems enable the collection, storage, analysis, and dissemination of health-related data to support decision-making and policy formulation. However, in conflict-affected settings and limited resource settings, accessing quality health information is a challenge and has received little attention amidst the often chaotic and ad-hoc provision of humanitarian healthcare. These issues are exacerbated during protracted conflict, which further deteriorates the provision and quality of healthcare and services.
With the changing nature and duration of conflict, efforts have increased in the last decade to increase the quality, accessibility, and availability of health information to inform and guide health interventions and service delivery in such contexts [2, 4]. mHealth and eHealth technologies offer digital solutions to major issues faced in the paper-based management of health information systems. For example, a mobile health system was developed in the Democratic Republic of Congo to improve healthcare provision in conflict-affected regions, where the system enables timely data collection and analysis, information sharing across health professionals, and improved health service delivery to meet identified needs or service gaps [5]. The system comprises a secure online platform that permits health workers to gather real-time data, exchange information, and analyse trends. Its main objective is to optimize efficiency by automating data collection, empowering field workers to obtain information promptly and precisely at the patient’s location [5]. Moreover, this approach enables health workers to retrieve patients’ medical records and other health-related data promptly, thus facilitating information-sharing and analysis. This, in turn, enables health workers to gain a better understanding of their patients’ health status, access pertinent information concerning treatment guidelines, and provide more effective and comprehensive care [5].
The Syrian conflict is a multisided conflict that involves various state and nonstate sponsored actors. It began in March 2011 as pro-democracy rallies and large-scale protests across Syria in line with the Arab Spring rallies in the Arab region. By 2012, multiple armed rebel groups had formed across the country, marking the beginning of the Syrian Civil War. Soon after, it developed into a proxy war, as foreign governments supported the different parties and groups at war inside Syria. The Syrian conflict is one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century with the extent of reported civilian casualties in the last 10 years representing a staggering 1.5 per cent of the total population of the Syrian Arab Republic [6]. Moreover, out of the 22 million people who lived in Syria before 2011, more than 13 million had become refugees (5.5 million) or were internally displaced (6.8 million) [7]. The country is now divided into more than 8 areas that are under the influence of various state and nonstate and local and international groups [8]. Political, humanitarian, and economic conditions (95% of the population lives below the poverty line), continue to impact the daily lives of Syrians including their access to healthcare, as the country has multiple health systems and various healthcare providers each operating in silos, while still carrying the burden of the ongoing conflict (Fig. 1).