RHINO will achieve its vision through:

1. Advocating for the use of routine health information in decision making and the improvement of routine health information systems in resource poor countries globally.
2. Learning from and informing HIS professionals, managers and users of health information systems, stakeholders, partners and civil society of the latest advancements in RHIS development and use.
3. Collaborating and coordinating in research and development of new methods, routine health information system standards, improving RHIS efficiency and effectiveness and improved access and availability of routine health information.

RHINO will know if its mission is reached through:

1. Increased investment in routine health information systems
2. Increased access and use of routine health information system data in making decisions for health system policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation and improvement of service quality resulting in improved health systems
3. An established global network of health information system professionals, partners, stakeholders, donors, and civil society sharing best practices, lessons learned and newest health information system methods and technologies
4. Increased knowledge of RHIS methods and technologies by practicing routine health information system professionals, partners, stakeholders, donors and civil society
5. New knowledge provided through research and development of routine health information system methods and technologies conducted with collaborating partners that has contributed to improve routine health information systems, use of information, and furthering establishment of routine health information system standards.

RHINO accomplishes its goal through the following objectives:

1. Advocating for investment in routine health information systems in resource poor countries.
2. Advocating for the use of routine health information for evidence-based decision making.
3. Improving the practice of RHIS design and implementation in resource poor countries through cross-fertilization of lessons learned and best practices from various countries and organizations
4. Increasing the capacity of routine health information system practicing professionals, partners, stakeholders, donors and civil society in routine health information system methods and technology
5. Advancing the state of the art in routine health information systems (RHIS) through research and development

RHINO has established a set of principles that underlie and guide its decisions and activities.

• The ultimate purpose of RHIS reform is the use of information for action
• Effective use of information is monitored by defining and measuring its impact on health system outputs and outcomes
• Empowerment of the RHIS comes through recognition of country ownership for RHIS design, management and improvements.
• RHIS design and improvements are country owned and considered within the framework of the national HIS strategic plan.
• RHIS supporting programs funded through external donors are integrated with the national HIS based upon country HIS system criteria.
• Accountability of the RHIS occurs through defining and tracking RHIS performance and outputs
• Transparency of the RHIS system is ensured through enforcement of national HIS policies and regulations
• High quality RHIS operationality exists through collective responsibility and teamwork using a self-assessment and problem solving approach.
• RHIS technical assistance is sharing experience and assisting capacity development
• RHIS software development is led by local resource people
• The ICT role in the country RHIS is determined after cost-effectiveness assessment.
• RHIS application programs (open source or commercially available software) are developed by nationals in-country

RHINO Listserv

The listserv has been developed by RHINO to promote communication among professionals interested in routine health information, data collection, management and use throughout the world. This moderated listserv will enable professionals to discuss the latest technical, organizational and policy issues related to routine health information system development.

The list will be used to exchange information, share recent articles, hold discussions on topics of interest, and post jobs.

This listserv is also available in a digest format that allows subscribers to receive all postings in a weekly email.

Join the RHINO listserv

RHINO Forum

In order to promote communication among professionals interested in routine health information, collection, and use throughout the world, RHINO introduced the RHINO On-Line Forum for discussion of issues related to Routine Health Information Systems. These week-long electronic discussions occur quarterly and are moderated by a professional with expertise in the topic of interest. There is no fee for joining the forum. The forum announcements are advertised through our RHINO listserv. Please join the RHINO listserv to ensure that you receive notification of future RHINO online forums.

For a summary of any of the previous forums, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

View a list of previous forums | Join the RHINO Listserv

RHINO Bibliography

The annotated bibliography database provides access to scientific and grey literature in the subject area of routine health information.

If you would like to recommend articles that should be added, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Search articles within the bibliography.