Integrated Health Information Platform

• 07 Apr 2021

Why in News

The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP), that is the next generation highly refined version of the presently used Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP).

• IIHP is an advanced disease surveillance system.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • It will track 33 diseases (as compared to the earlier 18 diseases) and will ensure near-real-time data in digital mode.
  • It will provide a health information system developed for real time, case-based information, integrated analytics, advanced visualization capability.
  • Data will be provided in real time through:
    
    • Grassroots healthcare workers through their gadgets (tablets);
    • Doctors at the PHC (Primary Healthcare Centre)/CHC (Community Health Centre)/DH (District Hospital) when the citizens seek healthcare; and
    • Diagnostic labs which will provide data on the tests carried out.
  • Key Features:
    
    • Real time data reporting (along through mobile application); accessible at all levels (from villages, states and central level).
    • Advanced data modelling & analytical tools.
    • Geographic Information System (GIS) enabled Graphical representation of data into integrated dashboard.
    • Role & hierarchy-based feedback & alert mechanisms.
    • Geo-tagging of reporting health facilities.
    • Scope for data integration with other health programs.
• Significance:
  
  • The collection of authentic data will become easy as it comes directly from the village/block level; the last mile from the country.
  • This digital platform for scouting the earliest signs of disease spread in the smallest of villages and blocks in the country will immensely help in nipping in the bud any potential outbreak or epidemic.
  • It is in sync with the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM).
    
    • NDHM aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country.
  • India’s information system for precision public health is essential for delivering ‘the right intervention at the right time, every time to the right population.’
    
    • In recent years, the use of technology to enhance precision in public health, including the use of pathogen genomics, enhanced surveillance and informatics, and targeted interventions has steadily gone up.
  • With its implementation, India is marching towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in healthcare through use of technology.
  • This refined digital surveillance platform will help to provide and connect data and move towards ‘One Health’ approach.
    
    • One Health is an approach to designing and implementing programmes, policies, legislation and research in which multiple sectors communicate and work together to achieve better public health outcomes.

Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme

• The Integrated Disease Surveillance Project (IDSP) was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in assistance with the World Bank, in 2004.
• It continued as the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) during 12^th Plan (2012–17) under the National Health Mission with a domestic budget.
• Under it, a Central Surveillance Unit (CSU) at Delhi, State Surveillance Units (SSU) at all State/Union Territories (UTs) head quarters and District Surveillance Units (DSU) at all Districts have been established.
• Objectives:
  
  • To strengthen/maintain decentralized laboratory based and IT enabled disease surveillance systems for epidemic prone diseases to monitor disease trends.
  • To detect and respond to outbreaks in the early rising phase through trained Rapid Response Teams (RRTs).
• Programme Components:
  
  • Integration and decentralization of surveillance activities through establishment of surveillance units at Centre, State and District level.
  • Human Resource Development – Training of State Surveillance Officers (SSOs), District Surveillance Officers (DSOs), RRT and other medical and paramedical staff on principles of disease surveillance.
  • Use of Information Communication Technology for collection, collation, compilation, analysis and dissemination of data.
  • Strengthening of public health laboratories.
  • Inter sectoral Coordination for zoonotic diseases.

Source: PIB