Can we achieve 'HEALTH INFORMATION FOR ALL BY 2015'?
LAUNCH MEETING of the Global Review on Access to Health Information in Developing Countries
For background information, see www.inasp.info/health/globalreview
British Medical Association, Tavistock Square, London
Monday 12th July, 2pm - 6pm
REPORT (Please note that items will be added as they become available)
This open meeting was the most popular Health Information Forum event ever, attracting around 100 people. The meeting introduced the Global Review, which (subject to funding) will run through 2004 and 2005. The Review will consult with the full range of actors worldwide to identify progress, lessons learned, and ways forward.
The Review is supported in kind by a large number of leading organizations in the field of health information development (see Steering Group [hyperlink to Steering Group]). Funds are being sought for coordination and to support consultation and networking in developing countries.
Some key points expressed at the meeting included the need for the Global Review:
- to be focused as much as possible on the experience of those working in developing countrie, especially those working in the 'frontline'
- to learn from the activities of other information sectors, particularly the Global Forum for Agricultural Research
(FAO)
- to link with related areas such as pre-service training and curricula, health education, information for policy makers, broader aspects of health communications, and broader determinants of health
- to link closely with those seeking to understand and address the 'access-to-application' gap
SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION
Chair: Dr Richard Smith (Editor, BMJ)
Keynote: Dr Tikki Pang (Director of Research, WHO)
Discussion Paper: Fiona Godlee (BMJ Knowledge/Clinical Evidence) "Can we achieve 'HEALTH INFORMATION FOR ALL BY 2015'?"
Simultaneous publication in The Lancet:
http://image.thelancet.com/extras/04art6112web.pdf
Plenary discussion
SESSION 2: INTRODUCING THE GLOBAL REVIEW
"Introducing the Global Review: How will it work?" Neil
Pakenham-Walsh (INASP) (Powerpoint: 446kb)
Short contributions from some of the organizations that are participating in the Global Review:
SESSION 3: EXAMPLES OF PROGRESS, LESSONS LEARNED, WAYS FORWARD
"Health information access in Kenya: progress/lessons learned/ways forward" Bruce Dahlman (Kijabe Hospital, Kenya)
(Powerpoint: 443kb)
"Use of health information materials in Africa" Edwin Mapara (Athlone Hospital, Botswana) (Powerpoint:
2.9mb)
"Connectivity for health professionals in Africa: progress/lessons learned/ways forward"
Fred Bukachi (Norrlands University Hospital, Sweden)
"Library partnerships: progress/lessons learned/ways forward" Lenny Rhine (Medical Library Association, USA) (Powerpoint:
667kb)
"Looking to the future: Map of Medicine" Mike Stein, Medical Director, Medic-to-Medic(Powerpoint:
420kb)
Before the meeting and during the breaks, there were opportunities to see latest developments in software applications that might have potential for development into tools to integrate access and use of healthcare information in developing countries: Map of Medicine and Isabel
