This community innovation has been accepted at the 2026 DHIS2 Annual Conference and will be included in C&H academy.
Climate resilient health service mapping via DHIS2
Climate change increasingly affects the functionality, accessibility, and resilience of health services, particularly in remote and climate vulnerable settings. Strengthening climate resilient primary health care (PHC) requires regularly updated information on health facility readiness, infrastructure, and population access. In 2025, Lao PDR approved the Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP), which includes the use of DHIS2 for routine updates on vulnerability, capacity, and adaptation. The national Health Facility Master List (HFML) serves as the core registry of health facilities but has lacked systematic information on service readiness and climate related vulnerabilities. To address this gap, we expanded the HFML and operationalized it within DHIS2 as an annual health service delivery network and infrastructure mapping exercise. Climate variables, including rainfall and temperature, have been integrated into the national HMIS since 2023. The expanded HFML captures information on physical infrastructure, electricity and internet connectivity, outreach activities, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and climate resilience. It also includes essential equipment for outpatient and inpatient services, maternal and child health, immunization, medicines management, health communication, and information and communication technology. To assess access and climate-related service disruption risks, the annual mapping documents catchment characteristics such as distance, travel constraints and costs, village health volunteer coverage, and proximity to alternative facilities, informing referral pathways and emergency access during climate events. These data are linked with service readiness and access indicators to support climate informed planning and preparedness. Data are collected annually using DHIS2 tools and directly update organizational units at facility and village levels. The expanded HFML therefore functions not only as a registry, but also as an integrated platform supporting routine service monitoring, climate informed planning, and emergency response.
Primary Author: Achala Upendra Jayatilleke
Keywords:
Climate-resilient health systems, Health facility mapping, Primary health care, Digital health transformation, Health service delivery networks, DHIS2, Lao PDR
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