Health Informatics R&D Co-ordination Division (HIRD)
The WHO collaborating centre for the Family of International Classifications in South Africa (WHO-FIC SA) is based in HIRD. WHO-FIC SA forms part of an international network of WHO-FIC collaborating centres, and is the only WHO-FIC collaborating centre in Africa. The formal announcement of the designation of WHO-FIC SA was made in November 2011 in Cape Town, during the 2011 annual meeting of the international network of WHO-FIC collaborating centres which was hosted by the MRC.
The major components of the WHO Family of International Classifications (WHO-FIC) include ICD (the international classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems), ICF (the international classification of Functioning and Disability), and ICHI (the international classification of Health Interventions; currently under development).
The agreed summary work items for the four-year designation period of WHO-FIC SA are as follows:
- Support WHO-FIC training and implementation in South and Southern Africa.
- Support the development, revision, maintenance and evaluation of WHO-FIC internationally, and in South and Southern Africa.
- Establish and maintain a network of WHO-FIC stakeholders in South and Southern Africa.
The WHO-FIC collaborating centre at the MRC is recognised among stakeholders as a key roleplayer in the development and implementation of clinical classifications in South Africa. The collaborating centre will continue to play a key role in convening and co-ordinating the work of multiple stakeholders based in multiple different organisations, working on various aspects and components of the WHO-FIC. This is an essential function to ensure that the very limited available skills and other resources are used effectively, especially by strengthening the work of individuals or very small groups.
In addition to national commitments, WHO-FIC SA is expected to play a role in the development and implementation of the WHO-FIC for other countries in Africa, especially in the SADC region. Strong relationships in this regard are already in place with Mozambique.
Further information on WHO-FIC SA is available in the following documents:
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