Information Systems

This presentation was part of the ECSA Workforce Observatory Meeting in Arusha. It describes the Africa Health Workforce Observatory as a cooperative initiative and partnership (public sector, NGO/ CSOs, academy, professional associations, international & subregional organizations, development partners) to improve human resources development through promoting and facilitating evidence-based policy-making. The presentation details the benefits and some of the functions of the Observatory such as: country monitoring and information; research and analysis; sharing and dissemination; promoting national and intercountry networking; and capacity building for HRH. [author’s description]

This report provides an overview of the public health situation across the 46 Member States of the African Region of the World Health Organization. The report charts progress made to date in fighting disease and promoting health in the African Region. It reviews the success stories and looks at areas where more efforts are needed to improve people’s health. [author’s description] Chapter 6 includes a discussion of the human resources for health crisis and approaches to filling the gap as well as health information systems.

In an effort to improve the health gain that might be achieved from allocated resources, a sector wide framework has been developed for planning, choosing priorities, and committing funds in accordance with agreed priorities. In order to support this effort, any proposed support to the health sector should be programmed through the planning and financial framework. This process should include an assessment of the medium to long term financial and programmatic implications of the proposal.

Human resources management has been characterised by very frequent changes in staff, at all levels. The MoH has taken measures to address this.

In Egypt there is increasingly strong political support for health sector reform including a widespread recognition that a working information system is necessary to undertake and monitor this reform. This paper assesses the role of USAID technical support to help build health management information systems in Egypt. The major objectives of the report are to: identify constraints to building the necessary information systems, identify and describe available resources, determine the most constructive role for the technical assistance element of the initiative, recommend a development strategy, and outline necessary resources.

With external assistance, developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa are beginning to establish better human resources information systems (HRIS) as part of a comprehensive and integrated response to some of the fundamental challenges posed by the health crisis. While this is a positive development, it is equally important to begin thinking about simple, practical approaches for supporting HR planners and senior decision-makers to be effective leaders and managers of HR data. [from author]

This manual is a collection of adaptable tools and guidelines designed to help clinic supervisors and clinic managers achieve objective improvements in the quality of health care. The manual is especially useful for managers supervising integrated health services, who, on any given day, may be called on to support the provision of a full range of primary health services. The manual is designed to complement more detailed standard operating procedures that may be in use for specific services, for example, antiretroviral therapy. It is based on the belief that regular, systematic supervision is essential to upgrading clinic services and maintaining improvements.

A goal of the health management information system (HMIS) is to provide reliable, comprehensive information about the health system to health managers, to enable them take decisions that will improve the services provided to the consumers. This study assessed the utilisation of HMIS data for decision making at the grassroots level in Bufumbira East Health Sub-District (HSD) of Kisoro District. [from abstract]

This document focuses on the rationale, approaches and vision required for strengthening health information systems, the components and standards of a health information system, and the guiding principles for health information system development along with practical steps for implementation. [adapted from author]

This document intends to provide a policy and strategic framework for management of health information, use of information in planning and management of health services and monitoring health sector performance. [from preface]

Public health decision-making is critically dependent on the timely availability of sound data. The role of health information systems is to generate, analyse and disseminate such data. In practice, health information systems rarely function systematically. This article discusses some of the historical problems inherent in these systems and describes the Health Metrics Network, a global collaboration intended to help bring solutions to the countries most in need. [adapted from abstract]

This document, published by the Central Board of Health of Zambia, describes the implementation of the country’s health management information system (HMIS) during 1995 to 2003, and considers the system’s achievements and the challenges facing it. The new HMIS was a response to weaknesses of the previous system, which was highly fragmented but with centralised data management. The aim was to establish a self sustaining monitoring and evaluation system that would improve decision making at all levels of the health care system with timely, valid and appropriate information. [publisher’s description]

Accurate, detailed and up-to-date manpower data is a prerequisite for human resource (HR) management. This Technical Brief describes how the Ministry of Health (MoH), with support from HLSP, conducted a human resource mapping exercise of all public health staff in Kenya, and discusses the implications of the findings. The aim is to demonstrate the many practical uses of human resource data – data which is not too complex to collect. [abstract]

The objective of this paper is to enable health sector leaders and managers to make data-driven decisions for human resources planning, policy making and management through strengthening human resources information systems. [author’s description]

This paper reports on research investigating the health management information system (HMIS) implementation process in Uganda, utilizing the diffusion of innovation and dynamic equilibrium organizational change models.

This framework paper is aimed at policy makers who are involved in the development or management of programmes in the health sector in developing countries. It provides a snapshot of the type of information and communication technology (ICT) interventions that are being used in the health sector, and the policy debates around ICTs and health…The paper describes the major constraints and challenges faced in using ICTs effectively in the health sector of developing countries. It draws out good practice for using ICTs in the health sector, identifies major players and stakeholders and highlights priority needs and issues of relevance to policy makers.

The aim of this interventional study was to assess, document and improve the Patient-held Record System in the Emtshezi Subdistrict. The study began in 1998 and was conducted using a Quality Assurance Cycle, which focuses on systems and processes and encourages a team approach to problem solving and quality improvement. [from abstract]

This document discusses: definitions of a health information system (HIS); the main actors in HIS; tools and methods used by HIS; experiences in national HIS; and reforming national HIS.

The Health Management Information System (HMIS) in Kwale District, Coast Province is Kenya’s first computerised district-level HMIS. A joint effort of the Ministry of Health and the Community Health Department of the Aga Khan Health Service, Kenya, the system uses simple, user-friendly software developed by Data Dynamics Limited to collect and analyse data from local health facilities. Benefits to date include a significant increase in reporting by local health facilities, more timely information for planning and decision-making, and evidence that the reports have enhanced immunisation coverage.

WHO, World Bank, and other human resources for health experts globally have recognized the dearth of human resource data for the health sector in many developing countries. In the present assessment, JHPIEGO reviewed the availability of staff deployment and training data from routine information systems in Malawi to inform the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) of deficiencies that would need to be addressed in order to better inform the development and ongoing monitoring of deployment and training policies and plans.
[publisher’s description]

This is a summary report from the Africa Health Workforce Observatory meeting held September 26-29, 2006, at the ECSA headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. The meeting focused on developing mechanisms to create up-to-date and reliable information that enables evidence-based decision making for HRH. [adapted from author’s description]

This article focuses on the field of telemedicine in developing countries and its role in improving health, using examples from the experience of the International Development Resource Centre. [adapted from publisher]

As the culminating activity of two years of effort in Kenya to strengthen the RH/FP training information system (TIS) of the Ministry of Health/Division of Family Health (MOH/DFH)—stakeholders from a variety of organizations gathered in Nairobi to address the following three objectives: Identify priority information system needs in support of coordinated planning, monitoring and evaluation of RH/FP training; Review the status of currently existing information system applications which support planning, monitoring and evaluation of RH/FP training; and Develop an action plan for pilot-testing a modified TIS to support coordinated training site and participant selection, clinical supervision and performance monitoring in one district (Embu). [publisher’s description]

This review of the South African Health Information System (HIS) maps essential health-related information, discusses the District Health Information System, details the current status of the HIS and the challenges the HIS faces.

The 2006 Review seeks to provide a South African perspective on prevailing international public health issues, and in particular provides an opportunity to reflect on progress to achieving the Millennium Development Goals many of which are linked to maternal and child health. It also seeks to stimulate debate and critical discourse, to provide a platform for assessing progress and to identify key gaps and opportunities for future action that is realistic and sustainable. [from foreword]


Chapter 4 is on Health Management Information Systems and Chapter 6 covers community participation in

This edition focuses on the role of the private sector, a part of the health system that has not previously been accorded extensive coverage in the SAHR. The contrast between the public and private sectors remains stark in many facets and the deepening inequity is cause for profound concern. The significance of the private sector cannot be underestimated both with regard to its potential contribution to the health and well-being of this country’s people, as well as its role in drawing resources (financial and human) from the public sector. [from foreword] Chapter 6 provides an overview of health information systens in the private health sector from a legilateive and operational perspective.

This tool permits countries to compare performance with objective standards for health information and provides the basis for evaluation of country health information systems. The tool consists of a standardized questionnaire through which the current status of the health information system is evaluated against specific criteria. The tool provides both a baseline asssesment, diagnosis of critical gaps in health information results, processes, context and resources; and also serves as an ongoing monitoring tool to gauge performance and achievements.
[author’s description]

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