Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

Health Information Systems Programme (HISP)

last updated May 11, 2012

Overview

Implementing organization: 
Centre of Health Information System Development (HISD), Viet Nam
Implementation Partner(s): 
TMA Solution IT Company and Agricultural University in Ho Chi Minh City
Legal Status: 
Private (for-profit)
Year Launched: 
1994
Stage: 
Existing/expansion stage
Income Level of Target Population: 
All income levels

Funding

Primary Source of Funding: 
Donor
Additional Source(s) of Funding: 
Membership/subscription fees, Out-of-pocket payments
Funders: 
HISP

Technology

Technology Used: 
Computer › Apps/Software

Scale

Personnel Employed: 
<10
Other Measures of Scale: 
43,000 web visits (as of July 2011)
Summary: 

HISP (Health Information System Programme) is an initiative on information technology that helps strengthen the health information system in developing countries.

Key program components: 

HISP aims to support the improvement of health care systems in the southern hemisphere by increasing the capacity of health care workers to make decisions based on accurate information. The primary focus of the HISP is developing and implementing an integrated Health Management Information Systems for routine data, semi-permanent data, and survey data. HISP also provides training and support for users of the open source District Health Information System (DHIS) software.

The DHIS 2.0 is a tool for collection, validation, analysis and presentation of aggregate (statistical) data, tailored (but not limited) to integrated health information management activities. It is a generic tool rather than a pre-configured database application, with an open meta-data model and a flexible user interface that allows the user to design the contents of a specific information system without the need for programming. DHIS 2.0 and upwards is a modular web-based software package and can be used at no cost.

Databases using the DHIS Software contain data representing over one billion patient visits. The DHIS is designed to support health workers and managers at all administrative levels through a balance between flexibility and standardization, and with a strong emphasis on using information for local action.

The DHIS has been translated into Portuguese, Swahili, Spanish, Telugu, Russian, Mongolian, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, etc. By making the software available online and providing user guidelines in Vietnamese, the software has become more accessible to users in Viet Nam. As of July 2011, there have been about 43,000 visits to this website.

In Viet Nam, an Agreement of Understanding of Collaboration on Health Informatics System, Open Source Software Development (DHIS) and Capacity Building was signed with the Viet Nam Ministry of Health and Provincial Health Department in Hue, Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh city. In the pilot phase, HISP Vietnam focuses on mother and child health and immunization. HISP provides training and support for users of the open source District Health Information System (DHIS) software.

Program history: 

HISP is part of the BEANISH initiative to improve health information in Africa. The project started in post-apartheid South Africa, and has been introduced in a number of countries in Africa and Asia. Since 1994. HISP has expanded from a pilot project in three Cape Town health districts to a global South-South-North network active in around 15 countries/states with over 200 million people in Africa and Asia. The networks comprise universities, Ministries of Health, NGOs, and companies. All the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) solutions, materials, and experiences are shared based on “Free and Open Source Software” principles.

Since 2004, the Coordinator of HISP/BEANISH received a request to support Open Source from the Vietnamese authorities. He cooperated with the TMA Solution IT Company and Agricultural University in Ho Chi Minh City to organize one IT team, named HISP Viet Nam. In 2008, the official organization called “Centre of Health Information System Development” (HISD) was created under the auspice of Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations (VUSTA). The Center has since established relationships with partners in other countries, including the National Telehealth Center of the University in Philippine.

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