Page 380 - ANUAL REPORT MOH 2017

INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH SYSTEMS (IHSR)

Institute for Health Systems Research (IHSR) is a research institute of the Ministry of Health (MoH)
under the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The main function of IHSR is to conduct health systems
research, also known as health policy and systems research (HPSR), provide scientific evidence and
promote the use of research findings in health policy and practice.

The research areas covered are selected according to national priorities, with reference to the WHO
Health Systems Framework and building blocks for health systems. These areas include Governance,
Health Information and Technology, Health Economics and Financing and Service Delivery.

IHSR is designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for Health Systems Research and Quality
Improvement and works in partnership with the WHO and its network of institutions worldwide for the
development of Health Systems Research as well as Quality Assurance and Improvement in Malaysia
and internationally. IHSR is also recognised as the national Quality Assurance (QA) Secretariat. The
QA Secretariat acts as a coordinating centre for training and development of QA Programmes (QAPs)
within the Health Ministry.

The major activities of IHSR include research, consultation and training with the primary aim of improving
the health care system in accordance with the 11 Malaysia Plan and Healthcare Transformation.
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ACHIEVEMENTS
RESEARCH

In 2017, IHSR has conducted a total of 15 research projects. A number of completed projects have
informed health policy and practice. These projects are related to improvement in efficiency, quality
and cost of health care services, clinical governance and patient safety.

Apart from these, there were projects in progress that covered domains of person-centred care, equity
in health care, economic evaluation, regulatory performance, strategic vision and policy design as well
as areas of health care services that include accessibility, accommodation, responsiveness, delivery
arrangements and implementation strategies for improving oral health, health systems performance
and health outcomes.

Research findings are disseminated through the publication of journal articles, technical reports and
research highlights. In promoting the use of research findings into policy, stakeholder engagement is
achieved via deliberative dialogues and seminars as well as oral and poster presentations.

IHSR is dedicated to enhancing the utilisation of research findings or evidence into health policy-making
through knowledge translation (KT) activities.

CONSULTATION

IHSR provides consultation for various agencies of MoH for health systems improvement. In 2017,
consultation and technical assistance were provided through Lean Initiatives, QA/QI initiatives and
Economic Evaluation.

MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA ANNUAL REPORT 2017 379