Health and
Social Services

Nutaqqavut “Our Children” Health Information System (NHIS)

What is NHIS?

Nutaqqavut “Our Children” Health Information System (NHIS) is a standardized way for health care professionals to collect health data from pregnant women, new mothers and young children throughout Nunavut. This is the first time Nunavut has had a territorial system to collect maternal and child health care data.

Collecting data with NHIS will give health professionals the ability to:

  • Assess maternal and child health
  • Identify causes and risk factors for various health conditions
  • Develop prevention strategies, programs and services
  • Evaluate maternal and child health initiatives
  • Illustrate territorial trends
  • Compare Nunavut to other jurisdictions in Canada and in the circumpolar region
  • Identify the way maternal health, early pregnancy and childhood influences impact adult health and development of chronic disease

Nunavut is not the only jurisdiction in Canada doing maternal or early child health surveillance.

What data is being collected?

The data for the Nutaqqavut Health Information System is already being collected by health care providers. The Nutaqqavut Health Information System simply collects all this information in one database. Data collection begins at the first prenatal visit and continues through to preschool. It compiles data from a number of existing sources:

  • Nunavut Prenatal Record
  • Nunavut Labour & Delivery Record
  • Nunavut Newborn Record
  • Hospital Discharge Summary
  • Well-Child Visit Forms
  • Birth Defect Reporting Form

How will privacy be protected?

  • Each patient will be given a unique identifier. Individual identifying information will not be made public
  • Data for individuals will not be released. Only grouped data will be released
  • Information from small communities can be pooled to further protect privacy
  • Individual privacy will be protected by law under Nunavut legislation
  • The data will be inputted into a password-protected database stored in the confidential computer system at the Department of Health and Social Services

For more information please contact us at NHIS@gov.nu.ca