Analysis and design computer system for public provincial health office

Abstract

Analysis and design computer system for public provincial health officeHealth System Research Institution (HSRI) has realized the importance of using computer technology in public health, especially in the Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) which is the main administrative office responsible for all public health tasks in the provincial level. Our research was funded to study the necessity and feasibility of using computers in the PPHO by HSRI and WHO. 1. Computerized Tasks. Having studied in four provinces (Ayudhaya, Nakorn Sawan, Samut Prakarn and Phuket), we propose that the following 5 main tasks could be computerized : Budgeting and Financial system Personnel system Inventory system Health Consumer protection and Drug administration Information system. All of the proposed system will be designed to be integrated and closely related to each other. For example, the budgeting and financial system and information system share some information with the personnel system. In order to get computer system, we need towork on the network system and adjust working process. 2. Hardwares. Among various network systems in the market, we decide to use Local Area Network (LAN) for the PPHO. It is estimated to cost about 1.8 million Baht per PPHO. A system will consist of -A file server -19 sets of workstations -Office accessories such as printers, modems, Uninterrupt power supplies, etc. -Database application and LAN application programs. 3. Establishing a Computer Department. In order for the network to work efficiently, an independent " Computer Department " is required. Its mission involves system analysis and design, system maintenance and training. The department will have at least 7 offices for following responsibilities : 1. Maintenance 2. Planning and system analysis 3. Training 4. System development. At present, there is an inadequate number of computer specialists particularly in the governmental section because of low benefit. An alternative solution is to offer existing personnels who are interested in computing for a higher education. An actual position for a computing staff will definitely be allocated in every PPHO in the near future. It is urgent to have a computer department ready for the installed network. The government must have a clear vision on what is going to be in the future world of information. It is therefor wise to prepare oneself for the coming technology both in man power and equipment. Every one has to realize that computers can be used more than a word processor. 4.Training Programs. It is necessary to provide all officers with different levels of computer training. The budget is estimated to cost about 137,000 Baht for each PPHO. This plan is composed of 3 levels Seminar/Workshops for the executive levelWorkshops for users in relevant department Continuing education for the computer officers. 5. System Installation. We suggest that computer system in the PPHO be installed by a private sector. The installation cost is expected to be approximately 150 million Baht for all PPHOs and it will take 5 years to complete the installation. A private computer dealer must be carefully selected in order to fit the need of each PPHO.