Brazil: development of an Integrated Information Network for health

 

In previous note published in the Epidemiological Bulletin of PAHO (1), there was announced a joint activity between the Ministry of Health and the Representative Office of PAHO in Brazil, with the objective of organizing a network with the institutions that are oriented to the production of data and analysis of the information on the health situation in the country. That initiative was consolidated as an institution by the Ministry of Health, in June 1997, being created the Integrated Information Network For the Health–RIPSA (2), which was implemented based on a specific agreement of cooperation signed with PAHO.

The objectives of the RIPSA were defined in the following way:

to establish consistent national databases updated, sufficient and of easy access;

a) to coordinate the institutions that can contribute to strengthening and the criticism of the data and the information;

b) to set up mechanisms of support for the permanent enhancement of the production of the data and the information;

c) to promote the exchange with other sub-systems specialized in the information on the public administration; and

to contribute to the deepening of the little explored aspects or of those identified as of special importance for the comprehension of the sanitary table brasile_o.

The RIPSA is made up, approximately, by 40 organs and governmental and nongovernmental entities, involved directly in the production, analysis, and dissemination of information of interest for the health. They were established as mechanisms of articulation and of coordination of the Network: a) the Office deTrabajo Interagency, collegiate entity responsible for the technical management and the strategic planning; b) the Interdisciplinary Thematic Committees, of transitory character, responsible for analyzing and to examine the management of the methodological and operational specific aspects, related to the databases and its products; and c) the Technical Secretary, in charge of the operationalization of the actions and of the support for the collegiate structures of the Network.

During the days 4 and 5 November of this a_o, a third meeting of the Office of Interagency Work was held, with the objective of deciding on the proposals originated of the works of three Thematic Committees and determining the programming of the Network for 1998. The analyzed proposals referred to the preparation and the impression of basic indicators—1997 and the consensual harmonization of the databases on mortality, birth rate, report of da_os, ambulatory and hospital morbidity. As basic strategy for the harmonization of the existing systems common models were proposed for the identification of individuals, institutions, and events related to the health.

Of the meeting deliberations turned out on all the described matters, having agreed the preparation and periodical, starting in 1998, of the indicators and basic data of Brazil, and of the national reports on the health situation and its trends. The works oriented to the enhancement of the information systems will be expanded for the review of the databases of morbidity, occupational health, and environmental health. In addition, it was decided to initiate the coordinations for the development of geographic information systems in health, and to improve the integration and dissemination of information in electronic environment, through the the Web-site of the Ministry of Health. The harmonization of the bases of information on the RIPSA will be also sought with the regional information systems of PAHO, as a way of facilitating the exchange among the countries.

References

1. Pan American Health Organization. Epidemiological Bulletin of PAHO, Vol. 17, No. 2, July 1996.

2. Brazil. Ministério da Saúde. Portaria Ministerial No. 820, 25 June 1997.

Source: Secretary dePolíticas Health and of Validation, of the Ministry of Health and the Representative Office of PAHO in Brazil.