Information Systems for Health—or IS4H—is a mechanism for managing interoperable systems with open data that comes from different sources and that is ethically used, through effective information and communication technology tools, to generate strategic information for the benefit of public health. Through the IS4H project, PAHO aims to implement a better decision and policy-making mechanism through health systems that ensure universal, free and timely access to data and strategic information using the most cost-effective ICT tools available.
HIGHLIGHT
Lessons learned in the implementation of telemedicine projects and digital certificates from COVID-19
The adoption of digital technologies in the health sector continues to accelerate in the Americas and the Caribbean. And millions of people benefit from this advancement. These were the main conclusions of the Regional Event on Digital Transformation in the Health Sector held by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in Panama City, between November 14 and 16, 2022. Read More
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION TOOLKIT
The IS4H digital transformation toolkit was created with the aim of offering managerial, technical, knowledge, communication, and academic resources to all those health professionals, decision-makers, and institutions dedicated to strengthening health information systems, with the vision of achieving universal access to health and universal health coverage in the Region through access to good quality data, strategic information, and digital health tools for decision-making and well-being.
IS4H BASICS
IS4H VISION
Implementing universal access to health and universal health coverage in the region will be strengthened through interconnected and interoperable health-related information systems that assure effective and efficient access to quality data, strategic information and ICT tools for decision making and wellbeing.
IS4H GOAL
To implement a better decision and policy making mechanism through health-related information systems that ensure universal, free and timely access to data and strategic information using the most cost-effective ICT tools.
FRAMEWORK
The strategic goals of IS4H focus on data management and information technologies; management and governance; innovation and performance; and knowledge management and sharing. Download the framework
BLUEPRINT
To ensure a successful IS4H implementation, it is important—among other things—to measure the level of maturity of your information systems, and to define the HR skills and the ICT infrastructure needed. Download the blueprint
MATURITY MODEL
The Information Systems for Health Maturity Assessment Tool (IS4H-MM) describes the method, tool and questions for assessing organizational capacity related to governance, data management, digital transformation, innovation and knowledge management. The IS4H-MM is part of the IS4H Blueprint for a successful implementation , and is organized according to the 4 strategic goals of the IS4H conceptual Framework.
The IS4H-MM is also a reference framework guiding Information Systems for Health to keep walking through the changing path of information and knowledge revolution, and how countries and organizations might grow in capabilities to operate, interact and benefit from them.
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STRATEGIC GOALS
Goal 2 - Management and governance
Goal 3 - Knowledge management and sharing
Goal 4 - Innovation and performance
TESTIMONIALS
"The IS4H initiative and the Action Plan represent an important milestone for the Public Health of the Americas as it is the result of a collaborative process with all Member States that began in November 2016 in a High Level meeting with the Caribbean countries, and that continued in 2017 and 2018 with similar meetings with the countries of Central and South America".
DR. JARBAS BARBOSA
Director, PAHO/WHO
"Public health emergencies show the importance and relevance of Health Information Systems. At PAHO we are working full time to support member states in adopting information technologies that support the response to the pandemic."
DR. SEBASTIAN GARCIA SAISO
Director, Evidence and Intelligence for Action in Health (EIH/PAHO)
"The OECS Heath Unit welcomes PAHO's Caribbean IS4H roadmap, which supports our need for accesible information for strategic health system governance, and is consistent with CCHIV priorities. We recognise the contribution the Caribbean has made to the region, and look forward to the 2019 Strategy and Action Plan on Information Systems for Health in the Americas."
DR. CARLENE RADIX, MD, MPH
Head of Health, Human & Social Cluster, SSDD. Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission
IMPLEMENTATION CASES
Suriname
Suriname's Ministry of Health requested technical support from PAHO/WHO to conduct a rapid assessment of the country's national information systems for health (IS4H) as the basis for developing short and medium-term work plans.
South America
Within the framework of the Health Information Systems Initiative (IS4H) developed by PAHO/WHO, the Information Systems and Platforms for Health (IS) Unit has convened all the countries of South America to a high level meeting on the initiative. It happeneed on 18-19 July 2018, in Bogotá, Colombia.
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Central America
Representatives from Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic met at the PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C. to discuss the development of electronic governance initiatives, open data solutions and large-scale data, among other topics in the framework of IS4H.
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Virgin Islands
With technical assistance from PAHO, BVI's Ministry of Health conducted workshops for key stakeholders to strengthen the country's National Information Systems for Health and help integrate Public Health in the eGovernment initiative, as well as to apply the IS4H Maturity Model tool in the BVI.
Caribbean
A High-Level Meeting on Information Systems for Health (IS4H), convened by PAHO/WHO and Jamaica's Ministry of Health had participants from 16 Caribbean countries, regional and international agencies, and international development partners.
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