In recent years, WHO and its Member States have placed more emphasis on evidence-based decision-making. Most developing countries in the Region have attempted to enhance their national health information systems, often with the support of partner agencies. However, overall progress has been slow.
Several countries are making better use of information technology and geographic information systems. Improvements have also been made to disease surveillance systems. In many countries local users are now involved more closely in the design of information systems. Nevertheless, most countries still use a wide range of data collection and analysis tools, some of which collect the same data. An increasing volume of data is available, but coverage and quality are variable. Linking information to policy-making at the national level remains critical, but elusive, goal.
Underreporting of deaths by national vital registration systems still needs to be addressed in many countries. If the quality of health information is highly variable, it is unlikely to be widely used.
Problems faced by developing countries in the Region include the following:
- weak organizational support for data collection systems;
- lack of standardization and coherence in attempts to improve health information systems;
- untimely collection of data;
- inadequate use of information and evidence for decision-making;
- inadequate data analysis and communication skills; and
- overambitious computerization of health information systems that countries are unable to maintain.
WHO's Regional Goal
To enhance the capacity of countries and areas in collecting, processing, disseminating and using information and evidence to foster the development of health systems management.
Regional Objectives
- To improve the performance of health systems by generating and disseminating evidence using available methods and analytical tools
- To strengthen capacity of countries and areas in information systems utilization, information management, health situational analysis, informatics application and research capabilities