Development of a Master Health Facility List in
Nigeria |
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Authors: | Authors Olusesan Ayodeji Makinde Aderemi Azeez Samson Bamidele Akin Oyemakinde Kolawole Azeez Oyediran Wura Adebayo Bolaji Fapohunda Abimbola Abioye Stephanie Mullen |
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Institution: | 1.MEASURE Evaluation/ John Snow Inc., 90 Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, Abuja Nigeria;2.Federal Ministry of Health, Federal Secretariat Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, Nigeria.;3.MEASURE Evaluation/ John Snow Inc. 1616 N Fort Myer Dr, Arlington, VA, United States 22209 |
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Abstract: | AbstractIntroductionRoutine Health Information Systems (RHIS) are increasingly transitioning to
electronic platforms in several developing countries. Establishment of a
Master Facility List (MFL) to standardize the allocation of unique
identifiers for health facilities can overcome identification issues and
support health facility management. The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health
(FMOH) recently developed a MFL, and we present the process and outcome.MethodsThe MFL was developed from the ground up, and includes a state code, a local
government area (LGA) code, health facility ownership (public or private),
the level of care, and an exclusive LGA level health facility serial number,
as part of the unique identifier system in Nigeria. To develop the MFL, the
LGAs sent the list of all health facilities in their jurisdiction to the
state, which in turn collated for all LGAs under them before sending to the
FMOH. At the FMOH, a group of RHIS experts verified the list and identifiers
for each state.ResultsThe national MFL consists of 34,423 health facilities uniquely identified.
The list has been published and is available for worldwide access; it is
currently used for planning and management of health services in
Nigeria.DiscussionUnique identifiers are a basic component of any information system. However,
poor planning and execution of implementing this key standard can diminish
the success of the RHIS.ConclusionDevelopment and adherence to standards is the hallmark for a national health
information infrastructure. Explicit processes and multi-level stakeholder
engagement is necessary to ensuring the success of the effort. |
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Keywords: | Health Facilities Health Information Systems Master Facility List Registries Standards Unique Identifiers |
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