SEA/RC59/R10 HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT RELATING TO MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDGs) AND HEALTH METRICS NETWORK (HMN) The Regional Committee, Recalling the Executive Board resolution EB118.R4 and various regional and country activities relating to development and strengthening of health information systems, Noting with concern the issues and challenges involved in strengthening health information systems, which are common to Member States in the Region, Recognizing that Member States lack sufficient health information system capacity in terms of both human and other resources, particularly with regard to inadequately trained human resources for applying the latest analytical tools and methods including e-tools to synthesize and disseminate information for decision-making, Acknowledging that there are other issues and challenges in identified areas of core indicators, data sources, data management , information products and their dissemination and use, Having considered the commitment of Member States to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and the availability of the Health Metrics Network partnership platform and Strategic Plan for Strengthening Health Information Systems in the Region, and Recognizing the inconsistencies of published global and regional figures and estimates due to lack of reliable data, 1. URGES Member States:
a) to consider using the Health Metrics Framework as a tool for health information systems assessment and in enhancing harmonization of country efforts related to the strengthening of health information systems , drawing up and implementing action plans, and b) to use the Regional Strategic Plan, the country action plan and Health Metrics Framework in the collection of data pertaining to MDGs and core health indicators, particularly disaggregated data, in order to track progress and measure achievements with regard to MDGs and the health status at national / sub-national levels, and 2. REQUESTS the Regional Director:
a) to assist Member States in drawing up and implementing their action plans to further strengthening country health information systems; b) to assist Member States in implementing their plans for strengthening health information systems, particularly in supporting a comprehensive assessment of the countries’ health information system and in drafting their action plans in the context of the Regional Strategic Plan for Strengthening Health Information Systems, and c) to enhance technical support to Member States towards facilitating the collection of disaggregated data to help in tracking progress and measuring achievements with regard to MDGs and core health indicators at national/sub-national levels.