Developing an HMIS Architecture Framework to Support a National Health Care eHealth Strategy Reform: A Case Study from Morocco

Abstract

An increasing number of low-and middle-income countries are receiving significant investments to implement health reform strategies featuring a health management information system (HMIS) as a fundamental eHealth intervention. We present the case of Morocco's first step toward the implementation of a national HMIS: the "urbanization" of its health information systems-an information architecture methodology designed to leverage existing capacity while ensuring sustainability of the new HMIS. We report on this process and share lessons learned, applicable to similar countries involved in HMIS interventions, including involving all stakeholders from inception to rollout, encouraging local ownership of the new HMIS, fostering active data usage among users, and leveraging existing personnel rotation policies when developing adoption strategies and facilitating capacity building efforts.

Healthcare system development in the Middle East and North Africa region: Challenges, endeavors and prospective opportunities

“…Some of the reported reform experiences in these countries impacted the different elements of the Flagship Framework ( 16 , 17 ). Some reform initiatives were directed to the fine-tuning of the control knobs of the framework including the financing ( 5 , 23 ), organization ( 38 , 39 , 41 ), payment ( 23 , 35 ), and behavior ( 5 ) knobs, or they evaluated the ultimate performance goals of the health systems ( 7 , 15 ).…”

“…Le Pape et al ( 39 ) reported the experience of the health sector in Morocco in adopting and implementing information and communications technology to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of the sector. This is another example on a reform focusing on the organization knop of the Flagship Framework which examined the role of IT on the organization and function of the health sector ( 16 , 17 , 39 ).…”

“…Le Pape et al ( 39 ) reported the experience of the health sector in Morocco in adopting and implementing information and communications technology to enhance the productivity and effectiveness of the sector. This is another example on a reform focusing on the organization knop of the Flagship Framework which examined the role of IT on the organization and function of the health sector ( 16 , 17 , 39 ). This organizational reform experience involved the establishment of a national health management information system in Morocco and showed how an effective information system can facilitate decision making at all levels of the health system ( 39 ).…”

“…This is another example on a reform focusing on the organization knop of the Flagship Framework which examined the role of IT on the organization and function of the health sector ( 16 , 17 , 39 ). This organizational reform experience involved the establishment of a national health management information system in Morocco and showed how an effective information system can facilitate decision making at all levels of the health system ( 39 ). The authors recommended engaging all stakeholders from inception to implementation, promoting local ownership of the new system, implementing personnel rotation policies and supporting capacity building and staff upskilling efforts ( 39 ).…”

Moroccan Digital Health Response to the COVID-19 Crisis

“…In Morocco, telemedicine is gradually but steadily penetrating the healthcare landscape. Morocco is one of the few African countries that have instituted legislative frameworks for the practice of telemedicine (34). The integration of telemedicine as an essential component of health care has already been established through the law related to the practice of medicine "131-13 law" (35).…”