The new data-driven enterprise architecture for e-healthcare: Lessons from the Indian public sector

• This paper presents Tamil Nadu HMIS in the context of healthcare policy in India.
• It discusses a healthcare framework for providing universal health coverage to all citizens.
• It is a case of architectural correction from manual to unified healthcare system.
• The HMIS has improved information management for all stakeholders.
• The article suggests enterprise architecture (EA) based approach to management of healthcare.

Healthcare delivery is a complex issue and better planning of resources is important. The Indian Government suggested the requirement of developing a healthcare framework for providing easily accessible, affordable healthcare and universal health coverage to all citizens in India. The Health Management Information System (HMIS) at Tamil Nadu was conceptualized in response to this requirement as a case of architectural correction from the manual to a unified healthcare system covering more than 74 million people and 2000 plus healthcare institutions in the state. The system consolidates state-level data in real time, links all health institutions, and makes it possible to track individual health indices. This data is used for planning healthcare, managing drug inventory, and planning health initiatives at the state level. We study the modified enterprise architecture (EA) of Tamil Nadu Health Management Information Systems (TNHMIS) and its comparison to existing EA approaches and operating models. We also discuss the high-level core diagram, the key elements of business processes, IT infrastructure, shared data and customer interfaces and how they are linked. We suggest an EA based approach to managing healthcare.