Comparing Data Reported using the National Health Management Information System and data Declared/Validated on the PBF Declaration forms in Fundong Health District
Abstract:
The
Cameroon Government through the Ministry of Health (MOH) introduced the
National Health Management Information System (NHMIS) tool in the country in
1995 to harmonize the data collection process within the health system at all
levels(1). Before this time, the MOH had no harmonized tool for health
information and the different health facilities within the health system had
varied data collection tools. The major role of the NHMIS involved data
collection to show case the country’s health status, data quality enhancement
and proper definition of each indicator therein, thorough data analysis at all
levels of the health system and informed decision making by actors, timely feedback
at all levels, enabling access of data at all levels to development partners
and prompt epidemiological surveillance and timely intervention in the case of
an epidemic (2). The elements of an effective SNIS are its relevance, how it
satisfies clearly defined and quantified public health goals, its performance, does it work with
efficient methods and tools and competent professionals? its usefulness, how is it used by its targeted audience (decision
makers, health professionals, community stakeholders) and its consistency, are the various stakeholders and information
sources well-coordinated?
The
setting of institutional mechanisms and incentives in order to introduce an
evidence base decision making process has been seen by many scholars as
important and a major need. Thus Performance based financing at implementation
had as one of its principles to strengthen the health system not leaving out
the SNIS. In this light, the data reported in the project at the level of the
health facility is supposed to be consistent with data reported in the NHMIS. This
study sought to find out if this is actually the case on the field.
References:
[1]. Report A. African development fund. 2000;(March).
[2]. Merit I, Process R. Reinforcing the Health
Information System to Step up the Viabilization of Health Districts Policy
brief July 2010. 2010;(July):1–11.
