Central Asian countries launch unique health information network

More than 30 delegates, representing the governments of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, national and international partner organizations, WHO staff and external experts, gathered on 3-4 July 2014 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Together they have established the new Central Asian Republics Information Network (CARINFONET), supported by WHO/Europe, which will be ready for rollout in 2015.

What is CARINFONET?

CARINFONET will improve the collection, use and distribution of accurate and timely information and help health policy-makers within and across central Asian countries in monitoring trends in health, disease, and well-being.

To improve health systems in the Region, CARINFONET will help identify and provide effective policies to meet the needs of each country and for a population which is living longer than previous generations.

Further support is needed

“We are excited to launch CARINFONET  and very grateful to the Ministry of Health of Kyrgyzstan in taking the lead and hosting the network for the first few years,” said Dr Claudia Stein, Director, Division of Information Evidence, Research and Innovation, WHO/Europe. “For the network to reach its goals, however, a sustainable structure involving multiple partners is a prerequisite. We invite national authorities, international partners, and non governmental organizations to join us in a collaborative effort to support central Asian countries in developing CARINFONET by providing expertise, considering funding for its activities and commissioning projects.”

The new CARINFONET will also contribute to the implementation of the WHO European health policy framework Health 2020 and other monitoring frameworks in the sub-region, including the WHO European Health Information Initiative.