When Rwanda’s antiretroviral scale-up became fully operational in early 2004, the government needed a system for collecting current site-level data on the status of antiretroviral treatment (ART). With Emergency Plan support, Rwanda implemented TRACnet, a web-based system that provides monthly ART program indicators reporting, weekly reporting on drug shortages and stock outs, and case-by-case reporting of CD-4 test results.
Unlike many reporting systems, TRACnet accepts both phone and internet-based data entry. In Rwanda, internet access is limited, and an internet-only system would limit the reporting capabilities of specific centers. The fact that 85% of users input data via phone illustrates the importance of phone-based reporting capabilities. TRACnet has been deployed in 50 out of 53 health facilities offering ART in Rwanda, accounting for 95% of all ART patients.
The benefits of working with TRACnet to date include: allowing national decision-makers to quickly analyze and respond to time-sensitive information; enabling improved planning and response to critical needs down to the facility level; and tracking key program indicators to identify trends and view program impact over time.
In the future, TRACnet will be expanded to include prevention of mother-to-child transmission and counseling and testing modules, and will offer laboratory features to more sites. TRACnet will be interfaced with clinical information systems and will potentially be integrated with the National Health Information System. | 
