Introduction

Recent advancements in the global arena are significantly driven by the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). ICTs have the potential to impact almost every spheres of health systems. ICTs are the enabling forces behind Health Information Systems (HISs). HISs are the key sources of health data which can be further analyzed to generate evidence. Health planners and decision-makers need different kinds of information which include health determinants, inputs to the health system and related processes, performance or outputs of the health system, health outcomes, health inequities, etc. HISs can ensure production, analysis, dissemination and use of health data. The evidence generated through HISs can be used in health decision making, to introduce immediate health intervention programs, health planning or policy formulation and thus improve the quality of health services. The ultimate outcome is better health of people, communities and the nation at large.

Health is one of the principal areas that Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to address by 2030. Goal 3 in the SDGs states “to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being at all ages”. Health is one of the prerequisites of development. To get access to the highest level of healthcare is a fundamental human right of all the people. To ensure dissemination of quality health services HISs can play a vital role and this could be pivotal in achieving development goals.

Realizing the importance of HISs, Kathmandu University is launching a Master Degree program in Health Informatics for the first time in Nepal. Health Informatics is a multidisciplinary approach to health science and Information and Communication Technologies which aims to develop methods/approaches for acquisition, processing and study of health data generated from multiple sources. It is believed that this program will be instrumental in strengthening capacity for using different HISs, carrying out development works in HISs, conducting health research and innovations and ultimately making HISs sustainable over the time.

Salient Features of Master’s Program in Health Informatics

1. The program is intended to develop an interdisciplinary approach to health informatics by building synergies between the area of Health Science and Information and Communication Technologies.
2. Integrate knowledge, principles, practices and activities of Information System development and management with the knowledge, principles and activities of health science.
3. To foster an understanding of theoretical and empirical bases of Health Informatics as a discipline.
4. Prepare equipped professionals who can develop, manage and lead Health Information Systems and become able to provide leadership and adapt to change in the areas of health science.
5. Develop knowledge of application of ICT in health science such as telemedicine services, mobile application development, health data warehouse, etc

Career Opportunities

With completion of the Master’s degree, graduates will acquire solid knowledge of health information systems and digitalization in the health sector. The students will be trained with skills required for leading interdisciplinary teams in digital health system development, implementation and change processes. Graduates will have extensive knowledge and skills required for HIS development, data analysis, policy making and implementation of health intervention programs. The scopes of the program will spread over multiple sectors.

• Information Officers, Data Analyst, Strategy Planner and Policy makers in the Health Ministry and other public organizations working in health sectors.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Officers at International Organizations working in the health sectors.
• Researchers in academic institutions and health organizations.
• Data analyst in the hospitals and health facilities.
• System Architect and Application Developers for Health Information Systems.

Prospective Students

The Master degree program in Health Informatics is an interdisciplinary approach to Health Science, Data Science and Information and Communication Technologies. Students from diverse areas/disciplines with keen interest in design, development and analysis of health information systems can fit into this program.

The prospective students include medical and paramedical professionals including Medical Doctors, Public Health Workers, Nurses, Medical lab Technicians, Pharmacists, IT Professionals, Mathematicians, Statisticians and enthusiasts from the basic science disciplines who are interested in health data analytics and innovation in the health sector.

Admission Criteria and Eligibility

Candidates with score of at least 50% in aggregate or CGPA 2.0 out of 4.0 grading system from any recognized institution, and

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering/Science and Technology/Computer Application/ Medical Sciences/ Nursing, or
• With a total of at least 16 years of education with science background, or
• M.Sc. in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics or any other related field are considered eligible for the admission to the master degree program in Health Informatics.

Research Lab

The master degree program in Health Informatics will be equipped with an advanced Interoperability Lab for the health information systems. The lab will include aggregate health data reporting systems, electronic medical record systems, insurance and logistics management systems and other relevant information systems.

Scholarships

Scholarships and assistantships will be available for deserving students.

Program Structure 

The total credits for this master degree is 48. Each Mandatory courses, Elective courses and the Project work account for 3 credits while the Thesis work accounts for 9 credits.

Courses:

Elective Courses

International Advisory Board:

• Prof. Dr. Jørn Braa, University of Oslo, Norway
• Prof. Dr. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Prof. Emeritus Dr. Teng Liaw, UNSW Sydney, Australia
• Prof. Dr. Eitan Bachmat, Ben-Gurion University, Israel
• Prof. Dr. Wong Chee Piau, University of Malaya, Malaysia
• Prof. Dr. João Carlos Ferreira, ISCTE- University Institute of Lisbon, Portugal
• Prof. Dr. Alvin Marcelo, University of the Philippines Manila, Philippines
• Prof. Dr. Clair Sullivan, University of Queensland, Australia
• Dr. Maya Leventer-Roberts, Google, Israel
• Mr. Derek Ritz, ecGroup Inc., Canada
• Dr. Anis fuad, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

National Advisory Board:

• Prof. Dr. Pradeep Vaidya, IOM. TUTH, Nepal
• Prof. Dr. Narendra Bhatta, BPKIHS, Nepal

Subject Committee:

• Dr. Rabindra Bista, Associate Professor, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, KU, Dhulikhel- Chairperson
• Mr. Anil Thapa, Director (Stat.) IHIMS/ MD/ DOHS, Ministry of Health and Population, Kathmandu- Member
• Dr. Megha Raj Banjara, Associate Professor, Central Department of Microbiology, TU, Kirtipur- Member
• Mr. Udaya Kumar Dintyala, Executive Director, AT & T, Hyderabad, India- Member
• Dr. Subash Pyakurel, Founder/CEO Health Concern Nepal- Member
• Mr. Santosh Khanal, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, KU, Dhulikhel- Member
• Mr. Kiran Kumar Shrestha, Dept. of Mathematics, KU, Dhulikhel- Member
• Mr. Amrit Dahal, Lecturer, Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, KU, Dhulikhel- Member