Background
The role of health information systems including civil registration and vital statistics systems (CRVS) in generating health information data for evidence-based decision making is widely acknowledged. In order to effectively monitor progress towards the health-related Sustainable Development Goals, the need for countries to generate reliable data is imperative. In line with the WHO’s General Programme of Work 2019-2023, WHO is collaborating with Member States to improve their health information systems, analytical capacity and reporting for universal health coverage. In particular, WHO is supporting countries to develop comprehensive and efficient systems to monitor health risks and determinants; track health status and outcomes; including cause specific mortality; and assess health system performance.
As part of WHO efforts to support Member States to meet their national, regional and international obligations in reporting health indicators, a number of comprehensive health information system assessments have been conducted in the Region since 2016 to identify key gaps and strategies to strengthen country health data systems. The first comprehensive assessment was conducted in Jordan (2016) followed by Libya and Pakistan (2017); Afghanistan (2018); Iraq, Lebanon, and Oman (2019); and Sudan (2020). Two more country assessments for Djibouti and the Islamic Republic of Iran were planned to be conducted in 2020 but were postponed due to Covid-19. The comprehensive assessments have identified gaps in health information systems and generated recommendations and priority actions aimed at improving country health data systems. These assessments also provide further information that guide decision-makers, development partners, and other stakeholders in planning and implementing effective interventions to enhance national health information systems.
Although the comprehensive assessments have led to improvements in core functional areas of national health information systems and almost all assessment reports have been published by WHO, there is a lack of consolidated monograph that synthesizes the findings across the countries to answer key questions such as: What are the nature of country health data systems available in these countries? Do these assessments promote learning across countries? What challenges do countries face in improving health information systems and what are potential solutions?
To address these questions, a consultant is sought to document key lessons learnt from these assessments as well as document minimum requirements to accelerate improvement of country health data systems. Documentation of this information as well as potential solutions to the existing challenges in implementing national health information systems might not only promote learning across countries (as has been requested by several countries in various meetings) but also assist in the long-term goal of improving quality of data to monitor progress towards universal health coverage.
Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)
Start date: 1 November 2020
End date: 31 January 2021 (30 working days during this period)
