Ethiopia
Role of HMN in Health System Strengthening in Ethiopia
Grant amount: $481,870
Details: Assessed HIS needs, drafting strategic plan.
HMN funding will support the following HIS strengthening activities in Ethiopia:
- National HIS Strategic Plan developed
- Implementation Plan for HIS developed
- Strengthening Vital Registration
- Strengthening community level of health information management
- Technical Assistance to analyse data and set up an integrated data warehouse
- Recruitment of Resident Advisor
Major Priorities, Goals and Objectives for the Next 5 Years
The health policy of Ethiopia reflects commitment and general directions towards decentralization and democratization focusing on preventive and promotive components of health care and development of equitable and acceptable standard of health services to reach all segments of the population. The health service delivery of the country is arranged in a four-tier system: Primary Health Care Units (PHCU), district hospitals, zonal hospitals and specialized hospitals.
Currently, Ethiopia is implementing the third Health Sector Development Program (HSDP). The HSDP is health chapter of the wider national framework for development and poverty reduction; the Plan for Accelerated Development to End Poverty (PASDEP), designed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). One of the major components of the HSDP is Health Management Information System (HMIS) and Monitoring and Evaluation. In its effort to improve the Health Information System (HIS) of the country, the FMOH works very closely with the Central Statistical Agency and other similar government and non-governmental organizations. The Central Statistical Agency is the statistical arm of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. While the FMOH is mainly involved in the routine HMIS, the CSA does population based surveys and census.
Key Findings from the HMN Assessment
In March 2007, an assessment of the national Health Information System (HIS) was conducted using the HMN Assessment Tool. The assessment was a step towards developing a long terms plan of the national HIS.
Key findings of the assessment indicated that of the six major components that constitute a health information system, three were very week. The following three components were rated as 'not adequate': HIS resources, data management, and dissemination and use.
The following graphs details the results of the Ethiopian HIS Overall Assessment:
While data sources were rated as 'present but not adequate', indicators and information products were both rated 'adequate'.
From this analysis, the key areas of most need are defined. Particularly, the inadequacy of HIS resources is of paramount importance because no HIS reform will ever be successful if adequate resources are not available.
Development of the long-term plan based on the assessment findings and in line with the HMN framework with the involvement of all stakeholders is recommended.