Characterizing the Global Landscape of National HIS Ecosystems

Brendan Smith presents the results of a Vital Wave Consulting study sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on the state of health information systems in the developing world. The goal of the study was to analyze and characterize the developing-country landscape of national HIS ecosystems and review some prominent individual examples of HIS implementations in the field to identify the critical success factors and the building blocks of scalable, sustainable projects that can strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes. The presentation provides highlights from the report and from case studies in India, Sao Paulo and Zambia, as well as details on a new online HIS forum where the report is housed and where perspectives on HIS can be shared and discussed.

Abstract of the report: The regions, nations, and communities that comprise the developing world face a wide variety of health-related challenges, and the health systems that address those challenges are struggling with very limited resources and capability. Health leaders must therefore focus on maximizing the value of scarce resources and finding ways to make health systems operate as efficiently as possible. Having reliable data on the performance of different parts of the health system is the only way to devise, execute, and measure health interventions. Successful strengthening of health systems will require relevant, timely, and accurate information on the performance of the health system itself. The goal of a health information system (HIS) is to provide that information.

This document considers several aspects of health information systems for developing countries. First, it looks at the threats to health and the challenges facing healthcare systems in the developing world. Next, it surveys the landscape of efforts to specify and create successful HIS at the national level. Then it examines three case studies in depth and finally reviews the important challenges and opportunities associated with creating an effective HIS.

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