The Smarter and Integrated Local Health Information System (SMILHIS) is a Local Government Unit (LGU)-centric Local Health Information Exchange (LHIE). It is being developed to allow seamless transfer of data within the health service delivery network. By having an LHIE, the LGU will be able to further foster the adoption of Universal Health Care within its jurisdiction.
The following are the benefits of the LHIE:
- Seamless transfer of data;
- Single entry of data;
- Multiple use of data;
- Increase in efficiency among health workers;
- Better quality of care provided to citizens.
The main components of the SMILHIS basic version are the interoperability layer and the authoritative registries. The authoritative registry is the city-wide or province-wide 1. list of all patients; 2. health facilities; 3. and health workers. This will come from existing databases.
For the interoperability layer, an HL7 Fast Health Interoperability Resources (FHIR) server will be installed and contain all the data that needs to be shared. The server will contain Application Programming Interface (APIs) that can be accessed by the different applications. An upload functionality through a web-based application will also be incorporated for applications that cannot connect to the APIs but can generate CSV files. The interoperability layer will also connect to national systems to submit the necessary reports with data sharing, and data aggregation functions which are useful for evidence-based and real-time decision-making of the local chief executives (LCE).
Following the WHO-ITU National eHealth Strategy Toolkit, which highlights the importance of the strategic role of governance in establishing enabling environment for eHealth, the development assistance of the project extends to the preparation of local issuances, data sharing agreements and necessary reports to help the LGU kickstart its policy development and program implementation to ensure the actual use and further development of SMILHIS.
The SMILHIS technical repository on Github can be access through this link: https://github.com/sil-asia/eHatid-LHIE. SMILHIS as deployed in the City Government of Cagayan de Oro can be access through this web link: SMILHIS CDOC.
