INFRATECHThe INFRATECH LISTSERV was created in January 1999 by Dr Andrei Issakov, Coordinator for Health Facilities and Services Provision, Department of Organization of Health Services, World Health Organization, Geneva, (WHO-HQ/OSD), and Antonio Hernandez, Regional Advisor for Health Services Engineering and Maintenance, WHO Regional Office for the Americas/Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C. (WHO-AMRO/PAHO), as an Internet discussion group for the exchange of information on health care infrastructure and technology for health services. The project is sponsored by WHO/HQ-OSD and WHO-AMRO/PAHO, and coordinated by the American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE). After a first year of operation, a meeting was held in November 1999 in Washington, D.C. to review the progress and originally set objec-tives, and outline the INFRATECH goals and action plan for the year 2000. The participants were Dr Andrei Issakov, Dr Peter Heimann – Medical Research Council of South Africa/WHO Collaborating Center (MRC), Eng. Antonio Hernandez, Dr. Yadin David – (ACCE), Eng. Alfred Jakniunas (ACCE), INFRATECH Coordinator, Eng. Frank Painter-ACCE, Eng. Jonathan A. Gaev – Emergency Care Research Institute/ WHO Collaborating Center (ECRI) and Eng. Henry Munoz Information Technology Support WHO-AMRO. During the meeting it was decided that the purpose of the INFRATECH discussion group would be to provide a forum for global exchange of information regarding infrastructure and technology for health services. Information gathered through this exchange could then be used in developing a ‘knowledge base’ for use in future projects. Development of database information for members concerning upcoming events, publications, and educational information is planned to be available by the second quarter. The membership group is composed of 80 experts from 35 different countries with different backgrounds in Healthcare Infrastructure and Technology. The group is planning early this year to present many items for discussion which are critical for many countries in introducing new medical technology or developing an effective health care infrastructure such as technology management, assessment and infrastructure development. New participants interested in sharing experiences or learning from others are welcome to join the group. To subscribe send an email to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.PAHO.ORG. In the text portion enter SUBSCRIBE INFRATECH full name. Messages are sent to INFRATECH@paho.org and will reach all members. Al Jakniunas ACCE Coordinator Email: ajakniunas@huhosp.org |
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