Only 19 of 40 countries assessed reported that authorities were notified of at least 80% of deaths, highlighting gaps that may hamper efforts to identify health risks and needs, a World Health Organization (WHO) assessment found. WHO said dependable health records give governments a basis for detecting new threats and acting to protect lives.
The assessment also found that 21 countries recorded a cause for at least 80% of deaths that had been registered. This measure applies to deaths entered in the system, while the 19-country result concerns whether authorities were notified.
Fewer than half of the countries, 43%, had enough capacity to analyze health information at clinics and hospitals. Only one in four could assess data quality at those facilities. WHO said many countries remain at an early stage in developing the systems and capacity needed to produce reliable health information.
Only 18% of countries assessed reported a dedicated budget for health information systems. Other challenges identified by WHO included governance and financing, coordination, routine data-quality checks and the availability of trained professionals.
Digital reporting platforms have been adopted in 43 of the WHO African Region’s 47 countries for collecting and reporting routine health information. In Nigeria’s Bauchi state, health authorities combined vaccination data with local information to find children who had not received routine vaccinations.
Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO regional director for Africa, said weak data can make it harder to identify children missing essential services and communities facing serious health risks.
The First African Health Data Forum opened in Nairobi on Tuesday, where the assessment was launched. Health ministers, senior officials and other stakeholders are meeting to review the findings, share experiences and identify solutions. Sessions through Thursday are scheduled to examine how digital health, artificial intelligence and other innovations might strengthen health information systems and support health services.