The District Health Information System

1. The District Health Information System • Health systems Framework • Role and rationale for District Health Information • Complexity and dynamic of health services • Components of DHIS • Current & proposed information systems practices • Conclusion

2. Health Systems Framework (WHO, 2007)

3. Role of District Health Information-I Pivotal role well functioning & efficient information system is: • Tracking the performance of Health system • Effective management of health services • Restructuring and aligning of health services within the Health system locally and globally • Allows continuous Review and assessment of Health for All as was stated by Alma Ata, 1978

4. Role of District Health Information-II • Supports decision making and resource allocation • Informs program designs and needed reforms • Supports feeding information to the users at community, health facility, district and national level

5. Complexity of Health Service Session 3

6. What is Information system • A system that provides information that supports decision making process at each level of an organization • Integrates data collection, processing, reporting and use for improving health service effectiveness and efficiency • (WHO, 2004)

7. District health system PROVINCIAL DISTRICT SUB-DISTRICT FACILITY

8. District Health Information System -DHIS • Process of handling data (collect, process, present, interpret & use) • On health issues (status, activities, services – supplies, finance, administration, staff) • For purposes of • monitoring performance (targets reached) • rationalising decision making • planning (priority setting, resource allocation, target setting) • implementation (coordinate, supervise, train, supply, follow-up, monitor) • In order to improve coverage & quality of health services

9. Components of a DHIS Epidemiological surveillance • monitor common disease patterns (TB, notifiable diseases, STI, HIV/AIDS) Service reports • monitor utilisation & human resource patterns (headcount, personnel) Special programmes • monitor coverage & quality of service delivery (maternal health, child health, nutrition) Administration & finance • monitoring & control (staff working days, training, drugs, supplies) Population • knowing population numbers & distribution (census, surveys, environment, risk, etc) • Software

10. Aim of a DHIS • Health information systems provide the mechanisms needed to monitor the translation of health policy into practice – this cascades down from national through provincial, district and facility levels • The DHIS enables districts toassess whether the goals, objectives, indicators and targets, based on both strategic and operational plans are being achieved Information is central to all service delivery and management

11. The Primary Health Care ApproachAccessible – Appropriate – Acceptable – Affordable Principles • Focus on prevention • Appropriate technology • Community involvement in health • Inter-sectoral collaboration • Equity • Responsiveness Elements • Nutrition • Water & sanitation • MCWH • Essential drug use • Treatment of local common conditions • communicable diseases • Housing, education, environment etc

12. COLLECTION OF DATA • Indicator based essential dataset • Data elements-standard definitions • Data sources & tools defined Data capture streamlined • PROCESSING THE DATA • Collation • Data quality checks (manual) • Data validation (computer) • USING THE INFORMATION • Regular review of data • Relate to operational plans • Monitor service coverage & quality Dataflow • ANALYSING THE DATA • Indicators Feed back • INTERPRETING THE DATA • Making sense of information • Possible interpretation • PRESENTING THE DATA • Flow of information • Format of tables, graphs & reports • Feedback mechanisms

13. Front End view Back end View High speed Connectivity Case based surveillance: Patient level data (Medical Records Plus referral) DHIS dbase Data capturer HTTP: Graphical User Interface (Flexible & User friendly) Web-based application architecture /Content Management system ETR.Net Access security Access security: Login Paper based systems/ & referral User defined queries Tier.NET Data security Central Database/ SQL/Cloud computing Information, M&E, Research, Data management etc! PADS (PAADS) Management Reports Data security MEDITECH Data security Management Dashboards/ Routine Data (Policy & Decision makers) FS DoH Senior Management Pharmacy &Other dbase systems Data ware house infrastructure / Automated back ups

14. Aspired Information System NDoH CENTRAL DATA Repository HOME AFFAIRS DATABSE

15. Expected Benefits • Improved healthcare provision in the province based on good quality data • Real-time healthcare data monitoring • Improved case based monitoring of patient through referral facilities and • Improved data/ resource sharing • Improved use of GIS information for planning, disease mapping & informs fiscal/monetary planning • Effective use of ICT infrastructure to support service delivery • Improved patient Information Management systems that enables effective patient care • This supports the FSDoH to move towards a case-based surveillance system

16. CONCLUSION • Essential component of Health care • Depends heavily on outside factors • Health Information system need to be responsive • Very complex

17. THANK YOU