• Performance measurement

Performance measurement

This article from the British Medical Journal explores the problems and potential solutions to the gaps in global health monitoring systems. The article outlines how the availability of health information can be improved by four, interconnected efforts: improving technology and methods of measurement, improving national capacity to collect and analyse data, establishing global norms and standards for health measurements, and reporting valid and comparable assessments of inputs, service delivery and achievements. The authors argue that the last area is currently the weakest and getting worse.

The article suggests that the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ability to undertake independent global reporting is limited by its multiple roles as a global health advocate, technical advisor to many countries, and monitor and evaluator of health issues. It is also limited by intense political pressure. The authors conclude that a new global health monitoring organisation is needed to provide independent health information to the world. This organisation would: report regularly and collate, analyse and disseminate the best available evidence; work closely with partners such as WHO technical programmes; and be sheltered from political interference. It would also have to be committed to the principles of validity, reliability and open consultation and would require stable, core resources. [adapted from author]

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