Health information manager solicits proper health registration system

Mr Wole Ajayi, the President, Health Information Managers’ Association of Nigeria (HIMAN), has solicited a proper health registration system to effectively handle a large volume of data generated in the health sector.

Ajayi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos that the health registration system should be supported by appropriate technologies and software.

He noted that data on the achievements in child mortality reduction, childhood immunisation and management of HIV and AIDS, among others, were relatively fair.

He, nonetheless, stressed that the vital mechanisms needed to support and sustain these gains were deficient and deteriorating.

“Health service coverage, morbidity coverage and cost are poorly measured and information needed to monitor equity is inadequate,’’ he said.

Ajayi urged the Federal Government to develop a clear policy, strategy and conceptual framework that would be supported by explicit implementation mechanisms.

He said that this would facilitate efforts of health institutions to achieve the expected level of accountability in the country’s health sector.

“Health information management is a frontline service, just as critical as surgery or paediatrics care.

“I appeal to the government to mandate all health institutions to employ qualified health records officers with quality knowledge and documentation skills.

“High-quality data will become a reality with these professionals,’’ he said.

Ajayi, however, identified inadequate power supply as a major challenge facing the health sector, urging the government to put in place pragmatic measures to solve it.