The elusive HMIS in India

[Guest guest]

Dear Dr Saha,

I have to commend your recent post to the Aids-India Forum.

It was only recently that I was made aware of the HMIS or MIS

because I saw no evidence of it nor any sanctions for ignoring its

import.

I would be interested to see what this HMIS looks like because if

it is complicated or cumbersome maybe that is why it is not used.

But even so if it is not mandatory to use it it is also useless.

It is very clear to me that the divide between testing

laboratories and medicos in India creates too many gaps in the

epidemiology required to effectively manage infectious diseases in

India and it is only the fear associated with HIV that is keeping

the issue on the agenda.

In Australia Doctors are the people who refer all tests and they

go for testing with the Dr's provider number. The patient's

identity is protected by code refs.

The laboratories provide details of positive tests only to the

Health Department who them prevail on the Doctor to provide the

data in a prescribed format all of which should be in the treating

doctor's case notes.

The data is then compiled and the whole State gets an updated

surveillance report every quarter.

One of the best ways I think is for Laboratories to be registered

and licensed and their continuing licence will depend on their

co-operation with the law.

This will ensure that appropriate tests are conducted on patients

and their confidentiality preserved assuming of course that the

medical practice that makes the request has a well developed

system of confidentiality. I have heard of Doctors actually

lecturing their patients about behaviours and almost blaming the

patient for the result before it even comes. This kind of

judgemental behaviour will be controlled like it is in our

country. Patients will be warned off certain practitioners.

I am not sure whether you have seen 's ACT but if you are

interested I will send its reference for your information because

after the addition of HIV-AIDS it became a very consumer focussed

document.

One way or anpother we have certainly focussed on an important

issue which should not get lost.

Kindest regards

Geoffrey

E-mail: gheaviside@...