Overview

The integrated African Health Observatory (iAHO) is a strategic health intelligence platform that hosts the Regional AHO in addition to the National Health Observatories (NHOs) of the 47 Member States of the WHO African Region. The iAHO serves as a knowledge management tool whose main functions are:

• Marshalling – the gathering of standardized data;
• In-depth analysis & synthesis, with the creation and display of key information;
• Networking – fostering cross-country exchanges; and,
• Sharing – the dissemination of information through the web platform.

The architecture of the Observatory is based on three pillars of health information: data and statistics; analytics; knowledge and evidence. It provides an extensive real-time view of what is happening in the health sector and how the health of populations in the Region is progressing.

Mission & Vision

An integrated public source of evidence from regional, national, and sub-national levels, the iAHO has an overall mission to promote the utilization of high-quality and robust data for action. The vision of a fully actualized iAHO is that of a structure that improves availability and use of information and evidence for policy dialogue and health decision-making, while also monitoring and evaluating the implementation of programmes, national strategies and plans, and health systems development/strengthening efforts. These, as well as the optimized generation and facilitation of use of knowledge, and the exchange of ideas.

Beyond the platform itself, the work of the Observatory team is to provide direct technical support to countries, in addition to regional services/programmes and systems teams. Working hand-in-hand with Health Information System (HIS) specialists, the core team within the Data, Analytics, and Knowledge Management (DAK) unit endeavours to provide a dedicated space where the outputs of rigorous data collection and analysis efforts are made easily accessible and comparable.

A Newly Redesigned Observatory

The iAHO has evolved in meaningful ways throughout the past few years and recently underwent transformation to further enhance its functionality and purpose. The changes are in line with contextual developments – both in the African Region and globally – and with the WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW 13), with new approaches for monitoring progress on the Triple Billion targets: Universal Health Coverage, populations protected from health emergencies, and improved health and well-being for all.

The Team

The iAHO has a dedicated team based at the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. The extended team includes health information officers within the three sub-regional Inter-country Support Teams (ISTs), as well as designated focal points in the WHO Country Offices (WCOs) throughout the African Region.

For data and evidence-specific inquiries and/or technical support, contact us at bataliacks@who.int , mandimbaj@who.int , or kembabazib@who.int .