Strengthening South Africa’s Health Information System
South Africa’s health system performance relies on more than just infrastructure, it requires timely, accurate, and accessible health data. The ability to make decisions based on reliable information, from the community clinic level to the national department, is foundational to delivering quality care.
Recognising this, the South African National Department of Health invested in a long-term, nationwide effort to strengthen its health information systems. HISP South Africa has been at the centre of this transformation for over a decade, working alongside provincial and national teams to institutionalise DHIS2 as the national platform for routine health data, build local capacity, and ensure that decision-makers across the health system have access to the data they need when they need it.
This project laid the foundation for an integrated, evidence-driven health system in South Africa.
Purpose
To ensure that accurate, high-quality health data informs decision-making at all levels of South Africa’s health system — from clinics and hospitals to provincial departments and national planning units.
Strategic Objectives
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Institutionalise DHIS2 as the national system for routine health information
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Strengthen data quality, completeness, and timeliness at the point of collection
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Build long-term capacity within national and provincial health departments
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Standardise indicator definitions, data collection tools, and reporting workflows
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Enable integrated dashboards for programme monitoring and executive oversight
Approach
HISP South Africa’s role spanned both technical implementation and embedded advisory support. Key pillars of the SHIS work included:
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System Configuration & Customisation: Tailored DHIS2 modules to fit South Africa’s health priorities, including maternal and child health, HIV, TB, and non-communicable diseases
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Data Quality Improvement: Developed and rolled out national data validation rules, SOPs, and audit frameworks
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Training & Mentorship: Delivered structured training programmes and on-the-ground mentorship across provinces, capacitating M&E officers, facility managers, and data capturers
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Change Management: Supported the transition from paper-based to digital workflows in many areas, ensuring buy-in and behavioural adoption
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Dashboard Development: Co-designed visual dashboards for programme managers and senior officials to track KPIs and identify underperforming areas in real time
Achievements
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Nationwide use of DHIS2 across all provinces and health districts
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Data quality improvements observed in over 2,000 facilities, with measurable gains in timeliness and completeness
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Increased use of data for decision-making at facility and district level, supporting resource planning, programme monitoring, and supervision
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Custom dashboards developed for major programme areas, adopted at ministerial level for quarterly reviews
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Strong local ownership with provinces maintaining their own instances and leading data validation processes
Strategic Impact
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Institutionalised HIS backbone: DHIS2 is now embedded in health planning, budgeting, and performance management systems
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Strengthened capacity: A generation of data managers, M&E officers, and health workers trained and empowered to use digital tools
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Enabled decentralised decision-making: District and facility managers now access real-time data to guide operational choices
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Laid the groundwork for digital transformation: The SHIS project set the stage for patient-level systems, interoperability, and data governance