Health Management Information Systems in Improving Primary Health Care Delivery
Abstract
Introduction
Health management information systems (HMIS) are implemented in different countries with the expectation that they will contribute to improving primary health care (PHC) delivery. Information generated through these systems is conceived as an imperative for better decision making processes and strengthening accountability arrangements that underpin the delivery of PHC.
Methods
Electronic databases such as MEDLINE, EMBASE data bases were reviewed for articles published between 1985 to December 2014. MeSH terms used initially for the systematic review were “Health care system” and the search was limited to English-language publications in
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Conclusion
This study explores the extent to which HMIS can improve PHC accountability arrangements necessary for improving the health.
Key Words: Health, Management, Information system, Healthcare.
1.Introduction
The health system in developing countries has changed drastically in the last few years from a centralized system with hierarchical reporting to a decentralized system. Health systems in a centralized system only used to focus on morbidity and mortality reporting from individual health units to the district and national level (Richardson E. et al. 2013; Gladwin et al., 2003). With the introduction of a decentralized system there has been significant change, emphasized by the Ministry of Health, through the implementation of health management information systems (HMIS) which emphasize the use of information at the point of collection. Through decentralization more freedom and responsibilities are given
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This encompasses the full range of electronic digital and analogue ICT, from radio and television to telephones (fixed and mobile), computers, electronic-based media such as digital text and audio-video recording, and the Internet, but excludes the non-electronic technologies. However this does not lessen the importance of non-electronic technologies such as paper-based text for sharing information and knowledge or communicating about health (WHO, 2006; Lutter CK, 2011). The introduction of information systems in healthcare knows of failures and successes. What has become apparent is that the introduction of such a system many times fails because of issues related to the organization itself. Kuhn et al. (2001) allocate the success rate of a project as being 80 percent dependent on the development of the social and political interaction skills of the developer and 20 percent or less on the implementation of the hardware and software technology. In developing countries this means that issues like the national and organizational culture play a big role. Another issue is the loss of individual benefits like extra income. The introduction of technology would also mean that illegal money making and fraud would become