51 st Meeting of PIHOA November 16, 2011 Honolulu, HI Edward Diaz

 The Health Metrics Network (HMN) was launched in  Help countries and other partners improve global health  by strengthening the systems that generate health-related information for evidence-based decision-making.

Focuses on two core requirements of health system strengthening  Need to enhance entire health information and statistical systems, rather than focus only upon specific diseases.  Concentrate efforts on strengthening country leadership for health information production and use.

“Production, analysis, dissemination, and use of reliable and timely information on health determinants, health systems and health status.” (WHO 2007)

Health Metrics Network, WHO Framework and standards for country health information systems. 2 nd Ed.

L-R: Dr. Rally Jim (Pohnpei), Dr. Mark Durand (PIHOA), Edlen Anzures (RMI), Angie Techur (PIHOA), Edward Diaz (CNMI), and Mindy Sugiyama (Palau)

INFORMATION MATTERS

 Identified some of the issues and solutions that the islands share in common  Understanding the barriers existing within each programs by doing an onsite observation

 Build local consulting capacity  Better understanding of regional goals and objectives  Ability to share and learn from each other  Local/internal consultant requires less ramp up time on a project due to familiarity with the institution, and is able to guide a project through to implementation — a step that would often be too costly if an external consultant were used  Internal consultant costs are accounted for on both project and organizational level to evaluate cost effectiveness

 Advocacy  Representation  Capacity building  HIS  Stats literacy  Standards and guidelines  Quality

 Ask that leadership at all levels to coach, inspire, motivate, and lead efforts to create shared HIS visions and values and use these principles to guide actions.  Formalize discussions with stakeholders and information users to better define their needs and requirements and adaptation of HIS to fill those defined needs by developing clear STANDARDS & GUIDELINES for data collection and reporting procedures.