Health Informatics R&D Co-ordination Division (HIRD)
eHealth Research and Innovation Platform (eHRIP)

Division Manager: Lyn Hanmer
Tel:  +27 21 938 0343
E-mail: lyn.hanmer@mrc.ac.za

Health information systems, whether electronic or paper-based, are an essential component of health systems. Without effective health information systems to support the various components of health services, it would be impossible for them to operate.

The Health Informatics R&D Co-ordination Division (HIRD) is a component of the MRC eHealth Research & Innovation Platform (eHRIP). The purpose of HIRD is:

• To support the effective use of health information systems (HISs) to support health services in South Africa and beyond, through research and innovation aimed at improving the potential for successful HIS implementation and use; and through growing the Health Informatics research capacity base.

The strategic objectives of HIRD, as reflected in the MRC Strategic Plan are:

• Undertake research to support the optimal use of information and information systems in the delivery of health care in South Africa and other low-resource settings.
• Undertake research to support the optimal development and use of clinical classification systems in South Africa and other low-resource settings.
• Develop contact and collaboration with appropriate stakeholders (internal and external) to promote Health Informatics research and development for low-resource settings.
• Contribute to the establishment of a critical mass of Health Informatics research skills at the MRC.

The essential role of health information systems is recognised in Sections 74, 75 and 76 of the National Health Act, in which the requirements for co-ordination and development of health information systems at national, provincial and local government levels are defined. Health information systems are also specifically referred to in the Negotiated Service Delivery Agreement, Sub-output 4.4.8: Strengthening health information systems, which includes reference to the need for health information standards, and for effective monitoring and evaluation of health services.

The current and planned activities of HIRD reflect two main areas of work:

• Support for the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical classifications in South Africa and other low-resource settings, and
• Evaluation of computerised health information systems and identification of factors associated with the successful implementation of computerised health information systems in South Africa.

Current activities and responsibilities include the following:

• Hosting of the WHO Collaborating Centre for the Family of International Classifications in South Africa (WHO-FIC SA);
• Project on the development of Diagnosis-Related Groups (DRGs) on behalf of the National Department of Health, through WHO-FIC SA;
• Participation in the development of WHO classifications through membership of the WHO Morbidity Topic Advisory Group (MbTAG) on ICD 11, and membership of the national ICD-10 Task Team;
• Membership of the Ministerial Advisory committee on Health Technology (MAC-HT).

MRC roles in Health Informatics Research and Innovation
The MRC has specific roles to play in the Health Informatics domain, mainly within South Africa, but also in SADC, the rest of Africa, and beyond:

• Contributing to the body of knowledge in Health Informatics through excellent and relevant research, innovation and capacity development;
• Contributing to the strengthening of the health system through providing expert input to decision making by the Department of Health and other components of the public and private health care sectors;
• Convening stakeholders as required to address specific issues related to health information for the health care system in South Africa.

The Health Informatics research activities conducted within the MRC reflect the recognised role of the MRC as an organisation strongly linked to the South African health system. The MRC is in a unique position to undertake research related to health information and health information system support for health services at national, provincial and local level, and in the private and non-governmental healthcare sectors, due to its status as a Science Council. In research consortia, the MRC plays an essential role as a bridging organisation between the research and health system domains.