Is Integration of Health Information Systems Possible?
The achievement of the health related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will depend upon the effectiveness and efficiency of health systems. WHO promotes strengthening the five major components of health systems – governance/policy, financing, human resource, logistics/supply chain and the health information systems (HIS) – to achieve a quality health delivery system and subsequently sustainable health of the target populations. HIS remains the backbone for providing information to track progress for improving the different health system components and monitoring the MDG goals. The Health Metrics Network (HMN) has brought a new framework to integrate the various sources of health information from population based sources such as household surveys and vital registration to routine health information systems (RHIS) such as service and individual statistics. The HMN framework proposes standards and guidelines for HIS strengthening and consequently health system performance. At the same
