Gathoni, Nasra

Godbolt, Shane

eCommons@AKU

eCommons@AKULibrariesJanuary 2011Working togaether to achieve HIFA2015: aperspective from two HIFA 2015 supportingorganisationsNasra GathoniAga Khan University, nasra.gathoni@aku.eduShane GodboltPartnerships in Health InformationFollow this and additional works at: http://ecommons.aku.edu/librariesPart of the Library and Information Science CommonsRecommended CitationGathoni, N., Godbolt, S. (2011). Working togaether to achieve HIFA2015: a perspective from two HIFA 2015 supportingorganisations. AHILA Congress.Available at: http://ecommons.aku.edu/libraries/25Working together to achieve HIFA2015: a perspective from two HIFA2015 Supporting OrganisationsNasra Gathoni- President, Association of Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA)                                 Shane Godbolt- Director, Partnerships in Health Information (Phi)Overview HIFA2015 an inspiration  Why support HIFA2015 About AHILA About Phi AHILA/PHI partnership Achieving HIFA2015’s goals Future plans ConclusionsHIFA2015 an inspiration AHILA & Phi proud of being the first two  Supporting Organisations!Advocacy campaign for access to health information inspires and is  Strategic Collaborative  Inclusive  Networked  Resourced Effective HIFA2015 an inspirationBy 2015, every person worldwide will have access to an informed healthcare provider Recognised the value of professional librarians Their skills in managing knowledge Their special role in developing health• Aligned with the goals of both AHILA & Phi  Inspired  closer partnership of both to strengthen the framework for improving the health of the people of Africa through reliable health information WHY SUPPORT HIFA2015?“People are dying for lack of knowledge”Pascal Mouhouelo, WHO AFRO Library, Brazzaville, CongoLaunch of HIFA2015AHILA Congress, Mombasa, Kenya, 2006Reasons: Cost of information Illiteracy Infrastructure  Need for reliable information (EBM)AHILA Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa, founded in 1984. Currently 46 country membersAims:– Improve provision of up-to-date and relevant health information– Encourage professional development of health librarians– Promote resource sharing in Africa and exchange of experiences– Promote the development and standardisation and exchange of health databases in Africa i.e African Index MedicusAHILAMilestones /Achievements 1986 to date Biennial Congresses  1993 African Index Medicus (AIM) 2006 Provided platform for launch of HIFA2015  2008 Launched Strategic Planning  process 2010 launched AHILA strategic plan 2010-2015 at AHILA 12 Congress, Burkina FasoAchieved through collaborations with local, national and international organisations eg WHO, ITOCA, Phi, HIFA2015, NLM among othersPartnerships in Health Information                Registered charity, founded 1992 Aim to facilitate north/south partnerships Trustees; health professionals including clinicians, librarians, academics & other NGO colleagues Programmes Officer 2006 (full time grant funded post) enabled expansion of activities & alignment with government level emphasis on partnerships Partnerships in Health Information  Information and Communications Technologies (ICT’s) are redefining the role of librarians and library service development Health librarians are crucial to providing access Sharing experience mutually beneficial Partnerships in Health InformationPhi’s objectives: Networking & collaborating with others to underpin good quality healthcare with reliable health information Facilitating health information partnerships & development projects  Capacity building for  health information professionals & librarians AHILA / Phi Partnership  Supports HIFA2015 advocacy campaign in practical ways  Collaboration through sharing knowledge and expertise for mutual benefit Communication which is key to successful collaboration &  partnership with each other & othersAHILA/ Phi partnership Has contributed to building capacity for health librarians/health information professionals through Exchange visits Workshops and development projects supported by Phi Training of Trainers workshops on Public Access to Health Information (PAHI) Developing a broad portfolio of projects and partnership activities (funded by BMA, INASP, DelPHE, IFLA)Delegates attending the Public Access to Health Information Workshop in Mozambique, March 2011KEN-AHILA members and Public Access to Health Information (PAHI) workshop facilitators.                                                                                    Pilot workshop on PAHI, Kenya, 2009Achieving HIFA2015’s Goals • AHILA has provided a platform for advocacy and campaign for HIFA since 2006• HIFA coordinators in countries in Africa continue to recruit members and promote HIFA  agenda at country level.• Promoting open access- the case of  African  Index Medicus (AIM)• Promoting outreach activities e.g. – blue trunk library, resource centers in community areas, repackaging of information• Training on effective use of information. Country chapters have rolled out such trainings to healthcare providers-doctors and nursesAchieving HIFA2015’s goalsRole of Health Information Professionals (HIPs) Information and Communications Technologies (ICT’s) are redefining the role of librarians and library service development HIPs are trained  in the essential skills of promoting information by its identification, selection, organization and dissemination  HIPs can put knowledge into practice and respond to the rapid developments1 (technology, information overload etc)AHILA and Phi Future Plans Promote access to reliable health information for health workers in Africa by developing  health library workforce/medical librarians through capacity building Continue to identify  needs in Africa through AHILA & its local chapters including addressing:• Digital divide• Support for Open Access• Using community strategies to reach ALL (PAHI)Conclusion We urge HIFA supporting organizations to engage actively with HIFA2015 AHILA & Phi keen to work with others  to identify sustainable models for the flow of information in Africa and to promote high quality research in Africa =RELEVANT to African context (RCTs, Systematic Reviews)Together we can achieve this worthy  cause-Healthcare Information For All by 2015Availability of, access to and use of Health Information is a basic human rightTHANK YOUContact us:Nasra Gathoni: nasra.gathoni@aku.eduShane Godbolt: shane@godbolt.co.uk

Working togaether to achieve HIFA2015: a perspective from two HIFA 2015 supporting organisations

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Working togaether to achieve HIFA2015: a perspective from two HIFA 2015 supporting organisations

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