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The University of Oslo has built an open-source, web-based health management platform that benefits 30% of the global population.
The District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) is an open source, web-based health management information system platform. Today, DHIS2 is used by 67 low and middle-income countries, and 2.28 billion people. The core software development is managed by the Health Information Systems Program (HISP) at the University of Oslo (UiO), which is a global network of 11 in-country and regional organizations, providing day-in, day-out direct support to ministries and local implementers of DHIS2.
The system has revolutionized collection and use of health data in these countries. You don’t need expensive equipment and expensive licenses to use the system, as it is based on open source. A mobile phone and a simple computer will do. And the health data can be reported in by SMS. The system is under constant development and is supported by a number of investors such as Gates Foundation, Pepfar, The Global Fund, Gavi, WHO, Unicef, CDC og Norad.
Building the system around an open source platform has enabled it to become a global public good, widely used in the most resource-constrained countries.
To ensure that implementations result in sustainable health information systems which are used to support decision-making, HISP UiO is spending significant resources on building institutions and commitment. To date 50 PhD students from the Global South have graduated within HISP. These experts form the base for supporting the various regions and home countries. Currently there are 30 active PhD students doing their research on various topics, concerning sustainable implementation of DHIS2 in their country or region.
Through direct involvement in the form of both implementation support, trainings, and research in dozens of national management information system, HISP has developed into a global community of thousands of DHIS2 experts with University of Oslo playing the role as the central hub for the collective experiences, knowledge, and best practices in DHIS2 implementation. This is the largest driver of DHIS2’s long-term, sustainable use and uptake in the most resource-constrained countries.
Read more about DHIS2 or get in touch with the University of Oslo through their profile page.
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