Internet He@lth

 

 

INTERNET IN PRACTICE
INASP-Health


Neil Pakenham-Walsh MD
Senior Programme Manager, INASP-Health

Internet Health 2003;2:2

The International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications

'Providing access to reliable health information for health workers in developing countries is potentially the single most cost-effective and achievable strategy for sustainable improvement in health care.' 

British Medical Journal 1997; 314: 90

INASP-Health [http://www.inasp.info/health] is a cooperative network of more than 1000 organizations and
individuals worldwide, working together to improve access to relevant,reliable information for health professionals in developing and emerging countries. It is a specific programme of the International Network for the
Availability of Scientific Publications, an international non-governmental organization founded in 1992 by the International Council for Science.In addition to the INASP-Health programme, INASP runs a wide range of
programmes and services that aim to improve access to information and knowledge worldwide: see www.inasp.info

INASP-Health is currently working with colleagues in Africa,Asia, and Latin America to explore the development of 'HIF' activities at regional and national  level.


INASP-Health provides the following services for the international health
information community:

INASP-Health Advisory and Referral Network
http://www.inasp.info/health/

INASP-Health Advisory and Liaison Service.  INASP-Health maintains an
extensive database of  the activities of network participants. Dozens of
communications and enquiries are handled daily, facilitating collaboration,
liaison, and sharing of experience and expertise. Participants are kept up
to  date with current events in the field through the INASP Newsletter.


Health Information Forum
http://www.inasp.info/health/forum.html

Health Information Forum (HIF).  The Health Information Forum is a series
of thematic workshops,  providing a neutral forum for discussion, debate,
and  sharing of ideas and experience among providers and users of health
information. The workshops are open to all, and representation by colleagues
in developing countries is enabled by the organization of study visits, and
by email, satellite audiocasting, and videoconferencing.


INASP-Health Directory
http://www.inasp.info/health/directory/index.html

INASP-Health Directory.  INASP-Health publishes *the* directory of
organizations working to improve access to information for health
professionals in developing countries. Available on the INASP website, the
directory serves as a networking tool for building professional
relationships  and sharing information, and as a reference for those in
resource-poor  settings who are seeking support.

'HIF-net at WHO' email forum
http://www.inasp.info/health/index.html#3

HIF-net at WHO is the email discussion forum dedicated to issues of
health information access in resource-poor settings. Launched in July 2000
in  collaboration with WHO, the forum is moderated, focused, and text-only.
The list has more than 1,000 subscribers worldwide, including health
professionals, librarians, publishers, NGOs, and international agencies.
More than 40% of subscribers are based in developing and emerging countries.
The  address is <hif-net@who.int>.

Join HIF-net at WHO ! Email your name, affiliation and professional
interests to <health@inasp.info>


INASP Health Links
http://www.inasp.info/health/links/contents.html

INASP Health Links is a Gateway to selected Web sites that are of special
interest to health professionals, medical library communities, publishers,
and NGOs in developing and transitional countries. Available online, on
CD-ROM, and in printed format.


Capacity-building programme
http://www.inasp.info/health/

Capacity-building programme. INASP-Health facilitates strategic and
practical workshops within developing countries, at regional and country
level.

Participation in the INASP-Health network is free of charge and without
obligation.

 

 

  
   

Dr Neil Pakenham-Walsh MD
Moderator, HIF-net at WHO
Senior Programme Manager, INASP-Health
International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications
27 Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1HU, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1865 248124
Fax: +44 (0)1865 251060
MAIL: health@inasp.info 
WEB: www.inasp.info/health

 
Reviewed only for correctness of data. Manuscript received on 04 July 2003. Accepted for Publication on 06 July 2003  

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