Ministry of Health, LIME to ink info system accord

The Health Information System that the Ministry of Health began implementing here in 2010 is 85 per cent complete.{{more}}

Luis de Shong, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health said the system is being used at 36 facilities: 29 district clinics, four hospitals, one polyclinic, and the Central Medical Stores.

“It is expected that this system would benefit the country by enabling patients to obtain an electronic health record that is retrievable from all health centres, and also at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital,” de Shong said in a release.

The main objectives of the Health Information System are:

1. To provide electronic personal identification codes and records for every member of the population.

2. To improve health through the availability of more reliable and timely health information.

3. To improve monitoring of national, regional and international indicators.

4. To improve accountability and ensure evidence-based decision-making.

The Ministry of Health will partner with LIME for all public awareness and sensitization activities in this regard.

Both parties will sign a memorandum of understanding tomorrow at the Ministry of Health conference room.

The accord is designed to contribute to the successful implementation, public sensitization and organizational adoption of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Health Information System (SVGHIS).

“This public-private partnership is expected to be of mutual benefit to both parties,” de Shong said.

The ministry will secure the participation and candid feedback of the public as it seeks to configure, implement and promote the adoption of the SVGHIS as a tool for improved policy, planning and operations, the senior civil servant further said in the release.

While strengthening its community involvement and customer service throughout SVG, LIME will benefit as the main service provider and assist the ministry with the appropriate joint marketing ventures to gain the confidence of citizens regarding the Health Information System, de Shong further said.