Improving social protection around the world with openIMIS: 2024 in retrospective

openimis social protection 2024

openIMIS is a powerful software designed to address challenges in insurance and social protection schemes management. To meet these needs, it requires both high flexibility and top-tier security. In 2024, we dedicated ourselves to enhancing the system and introducing new solutions to make openIMIS even more effective and valuable for its users.

openIMIS improving social protection around the world

openIMIS is an open-source information management system designed with low- and middle-income countries in mind. Its main mission is to support governments and other institutions in establishing effective social protection processes and ensuring improved insurance coverage. openIMIS reduces administrative burdens, enhances transparency, and ensures that vital resources are allocated to those in need. 

It is especially impactful in regions where access to social services is limited or inefficiently managed. By automating complex processes, openIMIS helps improve access to healthcare and social benefits, ensuring vulnerable populations are reached effectively. 

SolDevelo’s contribution to the openIMIS’ growth

We’re a long-time contributor to openIMIS and a part of the Core Team. As such, we’re engaged in a continuous improvement process, working towards more versatile, secure, high-quality solutions to maximize benefits provided by openIMIS to its users.

In 2024, we focused on advancing openIMIS by dedicating our time and expertise to several key initiatives that enhanced its usability. We introduced new features to make the platform more versatile while ensuring the highest level of protection for sensitive data. Additionally, we shared our knowledge and experience through training sessions, empowering local teams to work with openIMIS confidently and effectively.

2024 was full of collaborative initiatives that we were happy to be a part of. Our endeavors throughout the year were supported by our brilliant partners:

giz logo social protection openimis
SolDevelo clients that trusted us - Swiss TPH social protection openimis
the world bank logo
moldova logo
ilo logo

openIMIS & CORE-MIS integration

In 2023, we successfully completed the first phase of the openIMIS & CORE-MIS integration project. Kicking off 2024, we traveled to Eschborn, near Frankfurt, to meet with experts from SwissTPH, GIZ, and The World Bank in preparation for the next phase of systems integration. 

This initiative aims to merge two open-source solutions – openIMIS, backed by Germany and Switzerland, and CORE-MIS, governed by The World Bank – into a comprehensive software suite. Designed as a digital public good, the integrated system will support various programs, including health insurance, employment injury insurance, voucher schemes, cash transfers, and economic inclusion initiatives.

During our visit in Eschborn, we participated in a series of workshops evaluating the progress of the first phase and setting direction for the second phase. Discussions focused on refining priorities, addressing crucial tasks, and planning future updates. Together we also outlined clear goals for the next software releases, focusing on delivering impactful and sustainable solutions.

The delegation was not only an opportunity to strategize but also a chance to collaborate closely with partners, exchanging ideas and refining plans to ensure the delivery of a high-quality solution. After the intensive workshops, the team enjoyed some downtime exploring Frankfurt’s historic old town, taking in the sights before returning home energized and focused on the next steps of the project.

openIMIS in Moldova

One of the crucial achievements of last year was our contribution to the implementation of openIMIS in Moldova. We worked to help address the government’s challenge of reducing undeclared work, especially in the agricultural sector

In collaboration with The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the International Labour Organization (ILO), we pursued this initiative to ensure social protection for day laborers and improve labor standards supervision. openIMIS was customized to create a transparent, efficient system that obligates employers to properly register workers and facilitates monitoring by labor inspectors.

The solution introduced a voucher-based system where employers purchase tokens representing work performed by day laborers, assign them, and ensure payments are automatically transferred to the social insurance and state budgets. This supports transparency, prevents fraud, and provides laborers with essential protections such as healthcare and social benefits. 

We developed a web application for employers to manage vouchers and payments and a mobile application for labor inspectors to verify worker compliance on-site. The system also integrates with Moldova’s mPay platform, allowing seamless financial transactions while enabling administrators to adjust voucher pricing based on minimum wage changes.

This initiative steps forward in combating undeclared work, fostering social equality, and improving economic stability in the region.

Strengthening openIMIS security

With openIMIS users’ best interest in mind, in 2024 we dedicated our time and efforts to carry out extensive security testing, aiming to enhance the system’s resilience against potential vulnerabilities. The process began with a detailed analysis of the system’s architecture, followed by automated vulnerability scans and manual penetration testing. This multi-layered approach ensured that openIMIS was thoroughly examined for security weaknesses, focusing on areas like authentication, data handling, and session management.  

Based on the findings, SolDevelo prioritized mitigating identified risks and reinforcing the platform’s security. Key measures included improving backend authentication mechanisms, enforcing stricter server-side validation, and enhancing the encryption of client-side data. Configuration improvements were also implemented to ensure secure handling of sensitive information and to close gaps that could potentially be exploited.  

These enhancements have significantly strengthened the openIMIS security framework, reducing risks and safeguarding user data. With this initiative, we worked to ensure that openIMIS remains a secure and reliable tool for managing social protection and health insurance schemes globally.

QA audit for openIMIS in Nepal

To bring transparency and efficiency back to an openIMIS implementation in Nepal, SolDevelo conducted a comprehensive QA audit. The primary goal was to assess the ongoing development process, identify defects, and create essential documentation to guide stakeholders in future decision-making. openIMIS has played a crucial role in improving healthcare access in Nepal since its 2016 launch. However, the project required external support to address existing challenges and refine its development process.

The audit began by gathering all available data and conducting exploratory testing to understand the application’s current state, main components, and functionality. This phase set the groundwork for mapping out the application’s features, assessing their business value, technical condition, and performance. It provided stakeholders with a clear and actionable understanding of the system’s structure and behavior.

The results of the QA audit included detailed documentation, issue identification, and recommendations for improving the application’s development. This project showcased the importance of Quality Assurance in addressing complex challenges, leveraging expertise to enhance openIMIS’s capabilities, and supporting its mission to deliver equitable healthcare services to underserved populations in Nepal.

Workshops in Bangladesh

Another notable achievement in 2024 was our involvement in enhancing accident insurance for workers in the Bangladeshi textile industry. We supported this initiative by organizing comprehensive openIMIS workshops.

As part of an initiative by GIZ and the Bangladeshi government, openIMIS was introduced in Bangladesh to streamline insurance management, improve transparency, and expand worker protections. Our role was to train local teams, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to work with the openIMIS platform and enhance its implementation.

The training program began with a two-day offline session that covered openIMIS fundamentals, its technology stack, and best practices. This was followed by a five-day on-site workshop, where attendees developed new backend and frontend modules, explored task management and calculation rules, and learned to apply modular design principles. Participants not only gained technical proficiency but also showcased their enthusiasm by proposing ideas for future improvements to the platform.

In addition to the workshops, our collaboration included knowledge-sharing sessions with GIZ and cultural experiences in Dhaka. These activities fostered a deeper understanding of the local context and strengthened the partnership. Feedback from GIZ confirmed the training’s success, with attendees prepared to enhance the openIMIS platform and contribute to better worker protections in the Bangladeshi textile sector.

openIMIS in 2024: Advancing for global impact

In 2024, we worked hard on advancing openIMIS, contributing to its global impact on social protection and insurance management. Through initiatives such as the openIMIS & CORE-MIS integration, tailored implementation in Moldova, QA audit, security testing, and comprehensive workshops in Bangladesh, we aimed to enhance the platform’s usability and accessibility. 

Our work focused on developing innovative solutions, while at the same time ensuring the system’s quality and security are always a priority. With these efforts, we contributed to creating a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive system that improves lives, especially in underserved communities.

All the achievements of 2024 were possible thanks to the hard work of our team and the support of our partners. The efforts, however, don’t stop here and we’re excited for all the new growth opportunities 2025 has to offer.

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