[afro-nets] The Health Metrics Network (HMN) - Call for Proposals

[Dieter Neuvians MD <dneuvians@gmx.de>]

The Health Metrics Network (HMN) - Call for Proposals
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The Health Metrics Network (HMN)
 
A global partnership that will facilitate better health informa-
tion at country and global levels
 
The first call for proposals with the extended deadline for re-
ceipt of submissions is set for 15th September 2005. 
Website: 
http://www.who.int/healthmetrics/about/applications/en/index.html
 
The Health Metrics Network HMN has a single overarching strate-
gic goal ? to increase the availability and use of timely and 
accurate health information by catalysing the joint funding and 
development of core country health information systems (HIS).  
 
To achieve this goal, The Health Metrics Network HMN will pursue 
three strategic objectives: 
 
* Create a harmonized framework for country health information 
system development (the HMN framework): This defines key health 
indicator standards, essential health information platform de-
signs, data and analytic capacities, and guidelines for informa-
tion use that can inform country-level HIS development and lo-
cal, regional, global access and comparability. It incorporates 
a tool for assessing and monitoring the ability of country 
health information systems to assure availability and use of 
timely and accurate health information.  
 
* Strengthen country health information systems: This involves 
the application of the HMN framework in developing countries and 
the provision of technical and catalytic financial support to 
the development of country health information systems.
 
* Improve access to and use of health information: This involves 
the application of a system of policies, systems and incentives 
to ensure access to and use of information by local, regional 
and global constituencies.   
 
Formal agreements with countries for HMN support will be in 
place with first phase countries by October 2005. HMN will use a 
simplified, streamlined process for country requests for support 
as described in the "Guidelines for country proposals". The pro-
posal consists of:
 
* Formal statement of common purpose by key country stakeholders 
including high- level political commitment to the HMN principles 
and a willingness to engage in long-term commitment;
 
* Summary description of major strengths and weaknesses of coun-
try health information system currently;
 
* Summary of existing national plans for HIS, if any, and/or 
statistical development;
 
* Outline of type of assistance sought (technical support, fi-
nancial support for development of HIS plan, catalytic support 
to HIS development);
 
* Statement of key deliverables and timeline;
 
* Composition of country teams, specifically detailing the in-
volvement and commitment of key partners at senior levels in-
cluding Ministry of Health, disease-specific programme managers, 
National Statistics Office, country institutes of public health 
or equivalent, research institutes,  private health care provid-
ers, global health alliances such as GAVI, donors, multilateral 
agencies, and technical experts; and
 
* Potential resources available in-country and from donors. 
 
HMN Application Materials
 
Application Forms
 
Application Form 2005 (MSWord - English) [doc 318kb] 
http://www.who.int/entity/healthmetrics/about/hmn_proposal_guidelines_28april05.doc
 
Application Form 2005 (PDF - English) [pdf 4.64Mb] 
http://www.who.int/entity/healthmetrics/about/application_form.pdf
 
Guidelines
 
Guidelines for Country Applications (MSWord - English) [doc 
892kb] 
http://www.who.int/entity/healthmetrics/about/country_proposals.doc
 
Guidelines for Country Applications (MSWord - French) [doc 
278kb]
http://www.who.int/entity/healthmetrics/about/guidelines_fr.doc
 
Send all materials to:
Health Metrics Network
Interim Secretariat, WHO
20 Avenue Appia
1211 Geneva 27 Switzerland
Tel: +41-22-791-3367 / +41-22-791-1335 
Fax: +41-22-791-1584 
mailto:healthmetrics@who.int