Mahmood Iqbal Memon.
Limitations, constraints & their implications on HMIS.
Med Channel Jan ;11(1):62-4.

Health Management Information System (HMIS) was implemented in Pakistan in 1993. The system is computerized one and needs huge financial resources for printing of data collection instruments Continuos training of health & computer personnel, computers, computer supplies, computer maintenance, supervision & monitoring of HMIS. This chain of requirements for successful implementation of HMIS also needs accuracy, timely provision of items, knowledge, commitment of health managers and workers. The study and literature review show that developing countries like Pakistan can afford such type of systems only with great difficulty, as is evident from the fact that except for one province, other provinces are still depending on donors. Fortunately there is continuous flow of funds from various donor agencies like USAID, UNICEF and World Bank from time to time. The implications of large number of constraints in the system implementation raise the question of sustainability of HMIS. This question remains always in the mind of programme managers and health personnels, and that is why the system which is implemented successfully and also the reporting is proper show success progress/well but its various objectives like feedback mechanism are not working. The supply of data collection instruments is still not regular, computer software has limitations in producing the feedback reports, and the programme manager can not get their desired information. It is recommended that the funds should be provided for all the activities of HMIS at district level. Committed, well-trained and public health oriented programme manager may be assigned the responsibilities for its implementation and achievement of goal of decision making on the basis of HMIS reports.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com