DHIS2

DHIS2 is a widely recognized health management information system (HMIS) that is revolutionizing health information management worldwide. According to the vendor, it caters to the needs of healthcare professionals, public health organizations, ministries of health, education institutions, and logistics management organizations. DHIS2 is used by businesses of various sizes, from small organizations to large enterprises.

Key Features

Governed Open Source: According to the vendor, DHIS2 is released as free and open-source software under the BSD 3-clause license. The source code is accessible to anyone, allowing for modifications and redistribution.

Dynamic Technology Support: The vendor states that DHIS2 supports a range of technologies, including web-based platforms, mobile data capture, and SMS data reporting. It is designed to function effectively in resource-constrained settings and undergoes continuous updates to meet evolving needs.

Integration and Interoperability: According to the vendor, DHIS2 has a modular, layered architecture with an open application programming interface (API). It serves as a data warehouse with over 60 native applications for various functions. Developers can build their own native applications in DHIS2 using the open API and connect them to external software systems.

In-Country Ownership: The vendor emphasizes that each country or organization has its own instance of DHIS2, ensuring full ownership of the application and data. Ministries of health can configure their own information system on top of the generic platform. Data ownership remains with the user institution, while the HISP network provides guidance and support.

Capacity Building: According to the vendor, HISP-UiO invests resources in institution and capacity building to ensure sustainable DHIS2 implementations. The HISP network supports DHIS2 systems through local experts and provides guidance through the DHIS2 Academy program. The vendor claims that the DHIS2 Academy courses have been completed by thousands of students, and the DHIS2 Community of Practice serves as a platform for knowledge-sharing.

Adoption by Global Health Institutions: The vendor highlights that DHIS2 is adopted by global health institutions such as PEPFAR, Doctors Without Borders, and WHO. It enables alignment with national information systems while meeting institutional data management needs. Some of these organizations are also significant investors in the DHIS2 project.

Benefits of Scale: According to the vendor, the widespread adoption of DHIS2 has led to several benefits. WHO has endorsed DHIS2 as a global public good and collaborates on developing standardized health metadata packages. DHIS2's expansion across sectors facilitates expertise sharing and easier adoption in new sectors or programs.

Flexible Application: The vendor asserts that DHIS2's flexible design makes it suitable for a broad range of applications beyond health. It has been successfully deployed as an information management system in education, water and sanitation, agriculture, and other sectors. The vendor also mentions that DHIS2 skills gained in the health sector can be leveraged for management information system (MIS) development in other sectors.