DHIS2
| Company type | Open-source software platform |
|---|---|
| Industry | Health information systems, Data management software |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | Health Information Systems Programme (HISP) |
| Headquarters | Oslo , Norway |
Area served | Worldwide, primarily low- and middle-income countries |
Key people | HISP Centre at University of Oslo |
| Products | DHIS2 software platform for data collection, reporting, analysis, dissemination |
| Owner | University of Oslo (HISP Centre) |
| Website | dhis2 |
DHIS2—originally known as District Health Information Software—is an open-source, cost-free platform designed for the collection, reporting, analysis, and dissemination of both aggregated and individual-level data.
While its primary focus lies in the health sector, DHIS2 underpins specific health initiatives as well as nationwide Health Management Information Systems (HMIS). By the close of 2022, more than 75 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) had integrated DHIS2 within their Ministries of Health, with 69 of those implementing it on a national scale. Beyond healthcare, the platform extends its utility to sectors such as education, supply chain management, water and sanitation, nutrition and food security, agriculture, land administration, and e-governance. It holds the distinction of being recognized as a Digital Public Good.
The foundational DHIS2 software is developed by the HISP Centre at the Department of Informatics within the University of Oslo. Funding is provided by international partners including Norad, PEPFAR, The Global Fund, UNICEF, Gavi, the U.S. CDC, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, alongside institutional support from the University of Oslo. Additionally, the HISP Centre functions as an official WHO Collaborating Centre.
DHIS2 software
DHIS2 is a digital solution tailored for data management and collection that accommodates aggregate data (such as health facility metrics, personnel statistics, infrastructure details), event-based data (including disease outbreak tracking and survey results), and longitudinal individual-level data (covering vaccination histories, laboratory findings, and patient monitoring). It supports data capture across any organizational tier and at varying frequencies.
The platform incorporates native analytical capabilities including dashboards, graphical charts, pivot tables, and geospatial maps. It also offers mechanisms for data validation and quality assurance. Collaboration is encouraged through features that enable data sharing, commentary, and collective interpretation. Extensibility is achieved via custom applications accessible through the DHIS2 App Hub or through integration with external systems and datasets via a publicly available web API. DHIS2 adheres to health data standards such as FHIR, SNOMED GPS, LOINC, ICD-10, alongside a generic ADX format for exchanging aggregated data. Its flexible data model allows deployment beyond purely health-related environments.
Being web-based software, DHIS2’s core components and databases can be hosted either on local servers or cloud infrastructures. Users interact with the system through contemporary web browsers or by using the DHIS2 Capture Android application designed for mobile data entry on Android devices. Data recorded on mobile devices synchronizes with a central server instance that remains under local ownership and administration.
The system supports multiple languages including but not limited to French, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Norwegian.
Development cycles for the backend occur biannually with interim patches and ongoing updates for applications. The HISP Centre oversees development guided by a publicly accessible roadmap that emphasizes generic enhancements aligned with the requirements of participating countries.
Health
In over 75 low- and middle-income countries, DHIS2 functions as a Health Management Information System; 69 of these nations have adopted it at a national level. The platform assists national health agencies and global initiatives addressing diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and malaria. It also supports broad public health programs including immunization campaigns, disease surveillance activities, and maternal-child health services. During the COVID-19 crisis, 55 countries swiftly implemented or expanded their use of DHIS2 to bolster pandemic response efforts and vaccination rollouts.
Education
Beginning in 2019, the HISP Centre initiated a pilot project implementing DHIS2 as an Education Management Information System (EMIS) across six countries, with financial backing from NORAD and GPE/KIX. This customization utilizes DHIS2’s fundamental data architecture to manage records for students and teachers, generate school report cards, and optimize resource distribution.
Logistics
DHIS2 supports health logistics data collection at the facility level in more than 20 countries throughout Africa and Asia. It enables systematic reporting on inventory and consumption of medical supplies such as vaccines and pharmaceuticals, facilitating data triangulation and predictive analysis. Additionally, several nations employ DHIS2 for managing vaccine cold chains and operating electronic Logistics Management Information Systems (eLMIS).
Other uses
Outside the health sector, DHIS2’s adaptable platform has been tailored for various fields including water and sanitation, nutrition and food security, agriculture, land administration, and e-governance initiatives.
History of DHIS development
The initial District Health Information Software (DHIS) was created in 1994 for three health districts in Cape Town as part of the Health Information Systems Programme (HISP), a partnership between the University of Oslo and the University of the Western Cape.
DHIS 1.3 and 1.4
The DHIS version 1 series started in 1996 utilizing Microsoft Access, with VBA employed for the user interface, Access serving as the database backend, Excel for generating reports, and Windows as the operating system. Released in 2005, DHIS 1.4 introduced a redesigned database structure and broadened report format options, setting the stage for DHIS2.
DHIS2
Launched in 2008 after three years of development beginning in 2004, DHIS version 2 builds upon its predecessor using open-source Java technologies and is delivered as a web-based application. The initial version was 2.0, with the most recent release being version 41.3.1 as of April 2025. DHIS2 incorporates Java frameworks and tools such as the Spring Framework, Hibernate, Struts2, Maven, and JUnit.