Strategies for Information Access and Provision for Health Workers at the District Level in Zambia

Abstract

This article explores and proposes strategies that could facilitate access to health information to health workers at the district level in Zambia. Structural weaknesses exist within the Zambian district health system that make it difficult to implement an efficient and effective library and information service, so as to contribute to overall health delivery. There is no visible recognition of library and information services as a necessary component within the health care process, as evidenced by the lack of policies to support such work at the national, provincial, and district levels of the health system. Recognition of the contribution of library and information services to overall achievement of health goals is made. Finally, the article proposes some health information strategies that, if implemented at the district level of the health care system, could lead to improved health information delivery for health care workers.

KEYWORDS:

• district health systems
• health information
• health workers
• library services
• Zambia

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Grace A. Ajuwon (E-mail: [email protected]); Peggy Fong (E-mail: [email protected]); or Amanda Ross-White (E-mail: [email protected])