title: Pacific child health indicator project: information for action.
abstract: The Pacific Child Health Indicator Project (CHIP) is a clinician-led project with the primary objective of improving child health in the Pacific through effective health information, effective clinical governance and decision support. The project was developed by Pacific Paediatricians who were concerned at the disconnect between front-line paediatrics and health information systems and policy. The project initially worked with health services in Samoa and Tonga. Its focus was to develop functional child health information that effectively reflected the priority clinical issues facing children in Samoa and Tonga. In addition to baseline and trends in indicators and health information for priority child health conditions, a project focus has been on policy implications and the development of "Best Bets" for health service intervention. The methodology is inclusive and country driven, building on existing collegial working relationships between the principal investigators (Dr Percival, Dr Fakakovi and Dr Fatupaito-Maru) and in-country health sectors. Through the development of robust child health information the project will provide a baseline platform to assist clinicians, health services, Ministries, non-government organisations and donors respond to the burden of disease for children.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003625:Data Collection; D063025:Health Information Management; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D010139:Pacific Islands