Appendix 6: The Common Geo-Registry (CGR)

Common Geo-Registry (CGR)

Goal: To create a single source of reference information for the standardization, management and use of geographic data over time.

Method: The common geo-registry is an IT solution that is used to stock, manage, and share information regarding geographic objects that are central to sustainable development in either official, non-official, actual or historic forms. This repository hosts the single source of truth for lists of geospatial data and hierarchies in countries.

Data Components: health facilities, administrative divisions, villages, infrastructure, relevant physical and virtual features of the environment.

Data Sources: mandated list of health facilities, villages and districts approved by the government. Other sources of data (such as non-master lists from NGOs) can be used by governments to create or update a mandated list. Issues with non-master lists usually concern boundary data on villages.

Integration: Programmatic data will be kept outside of this database but linked to the data in the CGR. This is because inaccuracies in programmatic data might damage the integrity of the whole dataset and reduce levels of trust.

Data Validation: Lists once obtained are analysed to ensure these are accurate and comprehensive. Fields visits to provincial level is sometimes conducted to verify data obtained. Although community level validation is thought to be the standard, an assessment of provincial level verification has proven it to be accurate and useful.

Accessibility: Lists, hierarchies and geospatial data are accessible by any information system or user. The CGR is built on open-source software and freely available on GitHub.

Partnerships: Main partner is government or government agency. Non-master lists from other partner organizations (e.g NGOs, Humanitarian organizations) are compared to existing national datasets for accuracy.

Data Governance: Not completely established globally. Currently depends on individual country governance structure overseeing the collection and validation of geospatial databases.

Steps:

• Health facility master lists obtained from government ministries or agencies (e.g Ministry of Health)

• Master lists of administrative divisions and villages obtained from relevant government agency (e.g Ministry of Interior)

• Geospatial data for each master list compiled.

• Non-master lists from non-governmental organizations included (with clear indication of its source and lack of validation from government agencies)

Outputs: Hierarchies of health service provision and administration created and shared with users. No limits on access to information stored in the CGR, or contribution to its update.