Health Metric Network (HMN) Workshop - better health information systems
Friday 27 October, 2006, Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) - The Health Metrics Network, a global initiative for improving health information systems, will be introduced to the Pacific Island region at a three-day workshop to be held at SPC headquarters, Noumea, from 30 October to 1 November 2006. "Information is essential for public health action. Today, countries face unprecedented demands for reliable and timely health data to support decision-making. Decision makers need to know how many deaths have been avoided, the burden of diseases, and how to get more for the money their country is investing," says Dr Lene Mikkelsen, Senior Advisor for the Health Metrics Network (HMN).
Dr Mikkelsen describes the HMN, which was launched as at the World Health Assembly in mid 2005, as "a global partnership that aims to increase the availability and use of timely and accurate health information in countries and globally through shared agreement on priorities and coordinated investments in core health information systems."
The workshop is being jointly organised by HMN, WHO-Western Pacific Regional Office and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
"Next week, our goal is to introduce the HMN framework to Pacific Island countries through representatives from Ministries of Health and National Statistics Offices. We hope to build capacity in the use of the HMN assessment tool, and to provide guidance in the development of a prioritised improvement plan. We'll also discuss opportunities for technical capacity building and financial support through the HMN partnership," added Dr Mikkelsen. "It's up to countries to engage in this network. The idea of partnership is central to the success of the project," concluded Dr Mikkelsen.
Gerald Haberkorn, from SPC's Statistics and Demography Programme said that the aims of the HMN fit well with SPC's own efforts to help countries develop up-to-date population statistics and other social and economic data. "SPC has been helping Pacific Island countries collect and disseminate national and regional statistics for three decades. For the health sector particularly, accurate information is critical to the ability of countries to respond to the needs of their population."
Representatives from development partners involved in health and statistics strengthening in the region, such as other UN agencies, bilateral donors and global initiatives, are also invited to the workshop.
For more information, contact Rosita Hoffmann, SPC Communications Officer; email: RositaH at spc.int or phone +687 790442.
Background information
HMN benefits from an initial grant of USD 50 million over seven years from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and additional contributions from other donors including DFID, USAID, and DANIDA. The resources available are intended to be used to help countries bring together partners across programmes, sectors, and agencies to mobilise in-country resources for strengthening country health information systems in line with the HMN framework.
What will HMN do?
HMN framework and standards
A country health information system comprises the multiple sub-systems and data sources that together contribute to generating health information, including, vital registration, censuses and surveys, disease surveillance and response, service statistics and health management information, financial data, and resource tracking. The absence of consensus on the relative strengths, usefulness, feasibility, and cost-efficiency of different data collection approaches has resulted in a plethora of separate and often overlapping systems. Too often, inappropriate use is made of particular data collection methods, for example, the use of household surveys to produce information on adult mortality. HMN partners agree to align around a common framework that sets the standards for health information systems. The HMN framework will serve to define the systems needed at country and global levels, along with the standards, capacities, and processes for generating, analysing, disseminating, and using health information. It links the normative framework for measurement in health with participatory assessment, planning, and implementation modalities that are objective, transparent, and include all stakeholders. Thus, it focuses the inputs of donors and technical agencies around a country-owned plan for health information development, thereby reducing overlap and duplication. At both the country and global level, the HMN framework will enable access to and use of health information, thereby serving the needs of individual countries while also generating global public goods.
HMN assessment and monitoring tool
The HMN framework includes an assessment and monitoring tool that 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 standardised questionnaire, to be completed by country stakeholders, through which the current status of the health information system is evaluated against specific criteria. The tool provides both a baseline assessment, 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. An assessment using the HMN tool will be a common requirement for all countries receiving HMN support. HMN will provide both technical and financial assistance to countries for the assessment.
HMN guiding principles and processes
HMN support to countries is predicated on the principles of country leadership and the linking of health information system development with broader efforts to enhance national statistical capacities according to agreed standards. This will help ensure long-term sustainability and the buy-in of multiple partners including those in non-health sectors. Building coherent health information systems requires a long-term investment and should be seen as a gradual, incremental process.
The process of health information system development is ongoing. As country partners work together to strengthen the health information system, they will be able to draw upon the growing body of knowledge about health information systems development generated through HMN activities. In turn, experiences across many countries will contribute to the further elaboration of the HMN framework at the global level and its adaptation and use in other countries.