Health Information Systems |
Don de Savigny
Prof. Don de Savigny is head of the Health Systems and Interventions Unit of the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Swiss Tropical Institute. He has a long standing interest in the use of information and evidence for strengthening health systems and health policies and currently chairs the global Health Metrics Network's Technical Advisory Group.
David Lubinski
David Lubinski will speak about the work of the Health Metrics Network in leading the development of a Framework for national health information systems. As chief technology officer he brings more than 30 years of ICT experience of which 20 has been in the private sector, most recently Microsoft.
Health Metrics Network
Health Metrics Network (HMN) is a global health partnership of producers and users of health statistics and the first global health initiative focused on a health system component.
HMN is needed for various reasons. One is that often data are collected and never used. As only informed decision makers are able to make good and informed decisions data should be available and understandable.
Another problem is fragmentation in both supply and demand (even global). HMN is an important contribution to overcome problems such as weak analytical capacities or the poor connection of health to statistics. Health data have to be translated into information for policy action to allow evidence-based decision making.
The goal for HMN is to increase availability, accessibility, quality and use of health information critical for decision making at country and global levels. Therefore a common Health Information System (HIS) has to be established, country HIS have to be strengthened and access and use of health information has to be provided.
The transformation from data into knowledge to allow informed decisions is a major aspect of HMN. In a next step the impact has to be measured by monitoring indicators for change. All this leads to better information, better decisions and better health. David Lubinski showed in a second presentation on the HMN that strengthening health systems requires a focus on the system and health information systems are critical to health system strengthening. National health information systems to be useful must be designed collaboratively with users and matters of policy and resources are integral and at least as critical as ICT. A coherent description of a national health information system will enable and guide development and implementation.