Local capacities to create and adapt health information
-------------------------------------------------------
International consultation
Dear colleagues on AFRO-NETS,
Local 'health information providers' - whether ministries of health,
NGOs, training colleges, publishers, or libraries - are best placed
to create and adapt information for local healthcare workers. Despite
information technology, however, health workers continue to lack ac-
cess to the information they need to learn, to diagnose, and to save
lives.
You are warmly invited to take part in the first 'HIF-net at WHO' in-
ternational consultation of users and providers of health informa-
tion. The theme is:
'LOCAL CAPACITIES TO CREATE AND ADAPT INFORMATION FOR HEALTHCARE
WORKERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES'
This 4-week consultation has been commissioned by the International
Institute for Communication and Development, in the Netherlands.
Working with the UK Department for International Development and the
DOT Force, the IICD have asked us to help identify ways to strengthen
local capacities to create and adapt health information. In particu-
lar, we are keen to identify innovative ways of using information and
communication technologies.
Below are some QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION and a brief DISCUSSION PAPER
to introduce the subject. Contributions are welcome from all 'HIF-net
at WHO' participants, whether you are based in the North or South,
publisher or librarian, researcher or community health worker.
All contributions posted on 'HIF-net at WHO' will receive a free copy
of the new printed publication 'INASP Health Links', a gateway to in-
formation for health professionals, publishers and librarians in de-
veloping and transitional countries <www.inasp.info/links/health>.
Please send your contributions to <hif-net@who.int>
If you would like to follow the debate, join 'HIF-net at WHO' - email
your name, organization, and brief description of your professional
interests to <health@inasp.info>.