Boundary Object in HIS: Designing and implementation of a regional scorecard

Information sharing among health information system across several countries has proven to be a challenging process due to the complexity of harmonization and standardization. This paper presents a case study of the design and implementation of a Maternal and Child Health scorecard for the East African Community. The scorecard was used as a mediator for communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing among the participating actors despite their differences. By drawing upon boundary object concept, we examine the articulation of the regional scorecard and the strategies to harmonize interests and standardize data from diverse actors without necessary losing the diversity of their communities. The article stresses the need for a participatory approach by giving all members an opportunity to voice their views and affect the final products.