National health information systems for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Suthar Amitabh Bipin , Khalifa Aleya , Joos Olga , Manders Eric–Jan , Abdul-Quader Abu , Amoyaw Frank , Aoua Camara , Aynalem Getahun , Barradas Danielle , Bello George , Bonilla Luis , Cheyip Mireille , Dalhatu Ibrahim Tijjani , De Klerk Michael , Dee Jacob , Hedje Judith , Jahun Ibrahim , Jantaramanee Supiya , Kamocha Stanley , Lerebours Leonel , Lobognon Legre Roger , Lote Namarola , Lubala Léopold , Magazani Alain , Mdodo Rennatus , Mgomella George S , Monique Lattah Asseka , Mudenda Mphatso , Mushi Jeremiah , Mutenda Nicholus , Nicoue Aime , Ngalamulume Rogers Galaxy , Ndjakani Yassa , Nguyen Tuan Anh , Nzelu Charles Echezona , Ofosu Anthony Adofo , Pinini Zukiswa , Ramírez Edwin , Sebastian Victor , Simanovong Bouathong , Son Ha Thai , Son Vo Hai , Swaminathan Mahesh , Sivile Suilanji , Teeraratkul Achara , Temu Poruan , West Christine , Xaymounvong Douangchanh , Yamba Abel , Yoka Denis , Zhu Hao , Ransom Ray L , Nichols Erin , Murrill Christopher S , Rosen Daniel , Hladik Wolfgang 
Published: May 2019

Objectives

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will require data-driven public health action. There are limited publications on national health information systems that continuously generate health data. Given the need to develop these systems, we summarised their current status in low-income and middle-income countries.

Setting

The survey team jointly developed a questionnaire covering policy, planning, legislation and organisation of case reporting, patient monitoring and civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems. From January until May 2017, we administered the questionnaire to key informants in 51 Centers for Disease Control country offices. Countries were aggregated for descriptive analyses in Microsoft Excel.

Results

Key informants in 15 countries responded to the questionnaire. Several key informants did not answer all questions, leading to different denominators across questions. The Ministry of Health coordinated case reporting, patient monitoring and CRVS systems in 93% (14/15), 93% (13/14) and 53% (8/15) of responding countries, respectively. Domestic financing supported case reporting, patient monitoring and CRVS systems in 86% (12/14), 75% (9/12) and 92% (11/12) of responding countries, respectively. The most common uses for system-generated data were to guide programme response in 100% (15/15) of countries for case reporting, to calculate service coverage in 92% (12/13) of countries for patient monitoring and to estimate the national burden of disease in 83% (10/12) of countries for CRVS. Systems with an electronic component were being used for case reporting, patient monitoring, birth registration and death registration in 87% (13/15), 92% (11/12), 77% (10/13) and 64% (7/11) of responding countries, respectively.

Conclusions

Most responding countries have a solid foundation for policy, planning, legislation and organisation of health information systems. Further evaluation is needed to assess the quality of data generated from systems. Periodic evaluations may be useful in monitoring progress in strengthening and harmonising these systems over time.