Health information has been a major instrument in the assessment of health status in Malaysia, the planning and implementation of health services and the evaluation of health outcomes. Earlier, population censuses and estimates, plus the registration of births and deaths, were complemented by surveys of living conditions. Registration of notifiable diseases added to the assessment of the incidence of infectious diseases and progress made in their management; this was later extended to some non-communicable diseases. Health services research and household surveys have become regular features to support health intervention planning and possible changes. Registration of health professionals and inventories of health facilities give an indication of their availability. Initially, health financing information related mostly to the public sector. More recently, the compilation of national health accounts has given annual health expenditure estimates for both the public and private sectors. Progressively, information technology enhanced the collection, analysis and dissemination of health information and the provision of clinical services, such as in the case of telehealth.