PNG National Health Conference 2008

The PNG National Health Conference for 2008 was held this week in Port Moresby and I am led to believe that the theme for this years conference is: “Human Resource”.

Up until a couple of weeks ago I was hoping to get the opportunity to present a paper at the Conference on the Open Source Software (OSS) initiatives we have been busy with, since February 2007, at Goroka General Hospital. Unfortunately, no such luck! (sob-sob-sob).

The Hospital’s Open Source project currently has the endorsement by several key players:

- The Hospital’s CEO
- Director Health Services, EHP (Eastern Highlands Province)
- Secretary for Health, NDOH (National Department of Health)
- A number of NGO’s (Non Government Organisations)

So instead of presenting a paper – face to face – at the Conference itself, I prepared a written report on where we are up to with things here at the Hospital. The report essentially focuses on marketing the OSS concept within the PNG Health/Hospital System and is titled: “An Open Source Software (OSS) initiative in a PNG Hospital“.

The first section of the report is an Introduction and reads as follows:

The Strategic Plan for the Papua New Guinea Health Sector has outlined the need to improve Infrastructure and Management Support processes. The implementation of effective Health Information Systems within Goroka General Hospital is therefore in alignment with the National Health objectives. The Management and Board of Goroka General Hospital are committed to the implementation of an Information Management and Technology (IM&T) vision and strategy using Information Systems that are both cost effective and in alignment with the National Health objectives. As these objectives are met the benefits will ultimately flow on to our most important stakeholder – the patient.

The implementation of effective and sustainable Information Systems (IS) within any organisation is never an easy and simple task due to the complex nature of these systems and the necessary changes required in management, business processes and organisational culture. These issues combined with the local Budget constraints makes the project at Goroka General Hospital a particularly challenging one.

The foresight and ongoing commitment by the Board and Executive have enabled Goroka General Hospital to become pioneers within the PNG Health System in relation to the implementation of Information Systems within Hospitals. Furthermore, what is now being achieved at the Hospital could ultimately be replicated at other Health Institutions across the country at very low cost due to the Open Source philosophy of the project. Ultimately, an integrated Health Information System (HIS) across the country would be feasible provided NDOH are committed and the necessary resources are made available.

And that’s all I’m going show you for now!

The report is 10 pages and includes a case study of a Hospital in Ireland that saved a packet by going down the OSS road. I have said this before and I’ll say it again… there is currently an incredible window of opportunity in Papua New Guinea for both Government and Businesses to implement Open Source solutions. We currently have a “Green Field” situation in PNG that could benefit not only from the costs savings that come from an Open Source approach to Applications Development but also benefit from the plethora of quality, stable and mature OSS products that are now available on the market (especially for Health Informatics).

Bout it…

If you are wanting a copy of the above report and I get enough responses – I will think about making it available.