The complexity of any information system reflects the complexity of the organization it serves and the nature of the decisions made by that organization.
	Health care systems are complex because they provide multi-factoral services that have an impact on populations and individuals with diverse needs. Health information systems must provide decision makers, who have differing responsibilities and authorities, with the information that each specifically needs to make decisions.
	Qualities of health care can be monitored using health information systems, which can produce meaningful indicators and statistics. Appropriate, accurate, and timely information is needed to formulate policy, to implement plans and to evaluate the success of the resulting activities.
	Limits are imposed on the health care systems and consequently, their information systems, by the environment and the available infrastructure, time, expertise, and financing. An appropriate information system must fit within these limits and yet still be effective.
	Health information systems are simply a tool to be used to support health care service delivery - a tool should never become self-serving.
	In spite of resource limitations in low-income countries, there are methods to make a health information system more effective. First steps can be taken to plan for system acquisition. Manual systems can be reviewed and made more efficient and effective. Information requirements can be analyzed.