Systems development in the health sector in India : Implementing a health information system in a local rural context

Abstract

This thesis presents a study of systems development within a poor rural area in Andhra Pradesh, India. During my fieldwork I took part in a project called HISP (Health Information System Programme), which aims at supporting local management and health care delivery. The focus has been on the implementation of the district health information system (DHIS), within the health sector. Objectives of HISP are to support development of a sustainable health information system, to enable health workers to use their own information to improve coverage and the quality of health care at the local level. The introduction of DHIS is complex since it implies a change affecting the whole health sector and the people involved. A context sensitive approach, which take the whole situation into account is emphasised by many authors when developing systems in a “third-world” context.

After being part of the implementation and adaptation phase of DHIS, I performed an analysis of health data collected in the pilot area, in order to look at the potential for the new health information system to ultimately improve health services in the area. Finally, I present suggestions for further expansion of the pilot project based on my findings. 2