Authors: Hategekimana JP., Harerimana G., Byiringiro O., Mulisa JM.,Maniragena F., Ntare C., Kamugunga A., Nsanzumuhire V., Ndagijimana S.
I. Background
In the April 2023 publication of Jamaica’s Vitals, the NCDs Edition, cancer is shown to be the leading cause of death in the island, accounting for some 23.7% of non-communicable diseases deaths and 18.9% of all deaths in 2020. There were an estimated 7,348 new cancer cases, and 4,746 cancer deaths in 20201. In 2020, overall cancer incidence is 199.6 per 100 000 per year with mortality at 116.6, and the most common sites are breast cancer for women (incidence 71.1, mortality 35.2) and prostate cancer for men (incidence 85.7, mortality 37.1) in Jamaica1. Prior to this initiative, cancer data collection relied on the desktop-based system, leading to delayed reporting, fragmented datasets, and limited multi-user access. These constraints hindered timely public health responses, strategic resource allocation, and the ability to monitor patient outcomes effectively. Without a centralized platform, healthcare providers could not reliably track patient follow-up, treatment adherence, or emerging cancer clusters, which are critical for improving survival rates.
The DHIS2 Oncology Module addresses these challenges by providing a unified, web-based platform that supports end-to-end cancer surveillance workflows. Its real-time data capture and analysis enable early detection of trends and hotspots, allowing clients, from facility-level clinicians to national policymakers, to allocate screening resources more
II. Main objectives
The project aimed to improve cancer control by operationalising a data collection and reporting system that will improve the availability of national cancer data, which can be used by the ministry to guide cancer prevention and control strategies locally. This involved the installation, customisation and use of an oncology module using the District Health Information software version 2 (DHIS2).
III. Implementation Methodology and Technical Approach
The implementation methodology consisted of four phases: planning, customization, Data Migration, testing, and deployment, carried out through a remote-first approach. During the planning phase, HISP Rwanda conducted needs assessments and stakeholder consultations to map existing workflows and identify infrastructure requirements. During the customization phase, HISP Rwanda adapted the DHIS2 Oncology Module by configuring tracker programs, digitalizing Jamaican cancer reporting forms, and building validation rules and dashboards aligned with IARC standards. Historical records from legacy systems were first cleaned, de-duplicated, and imported into a test environment for validation, and then migrated to production to preserve longitudinal insights. User Acceptance Testing (UAT) sessions led by HISP Rwanda gathered feedback and refined the system before launch. Finally, HISP Rwanda delivered comprehensive virtual training and documentation, ensuring over 40 facility, regional, and national users achieved proficiency. Post-deployment, HISP Rwanda provides ongoing technical support, system maintenance, and capacity-building to guarantee sustainable operations.
I.V Why DHIS2 Oncology Module?
The dhis2 oncology module stands out for its comprehensive features designed to meet the needs of diverse stakeholders:
- End-to-end integration: Seamlessly connects data capture, validation, analysis, and reporting within a single platform, eliminating the silos common in legacy systems.
- Customizable workflows: Adapts to Jamaica’s national forms and IARC standards, while providing flexibility to modify fields, rules, and indicators as requirements evolve.
- Advanced analytics & visualizations: Offers interactive dashboards, geospatial maps, and customizable reports that empower users to explore cancer trends by geography, demographic groups, and time periods.
- Mobile and offline capability: Supports data entry via tablets and smartphones, with offline caching to capture data in connectivity-challenged areas and synchronization once online.
- Secure, role-based access: Implements multi-level permission controls and VPN-secured connections to protect patient confidentiality and comply with data privacy regulations.
- Scalable architecture: Built on a modular, open-source framework that can expand to include additional disease registries, integrate with national health information systems, and accommodate growing data volumes.
V. Key Benefits
Local-Level Efficiency: Health facilities enter patient data instantly with intuitive digital forms eliminating paperwork, reducing errors, and freeing up clinical staff.
Regional Quality Assurance: Regional teams access real-time case listings for validation and enrichment, ensuring high data quality before cases advance.
Centralized Analytics: National decision-makers leverage dynamic dashboards to monitor trends, allocate resources, and guide policy based on up-to-date cancer data.|
Improved Responsiveness: Automated alerts notify stakeholders at every level when critical thresholds are reached, enabling rapid public health interventions.
Cost and Time Savings: Digital workflows shorten data capture to decision timelines, reducing administrative burdens and operational costs.
Patient-Centered Care: Seamlessly track individual patient journeys from diagnosis to follow-up improving treatment adherence, enhancing continuity of care, and ultimately leading to better patient outcomes.
V.I HISP Rwanda brings digital solutions
Most governments understand that reliable, data-driven insights are essential for implementing public policies effectively across all sectors. To support this, they require comprehensive, integrated data management systems that deliver accurate and timely information for strategic decision-making.
HISP Rwanda offers a tailored business intelligence platform designed to meet these needs. Our solution unifies disparate data sources into a single, user-friendly interface, empowering government agencies and officials with real-time dashboards, customizable reports, and advanced analytics. HISP Rwanda brings proven expertise to these implementations; for example, our deployment in Jamaica has consistently delivered outstanding results, improving decision-making and operational efficiency at every level.
VII. Comprehensive Data Flow
The National Cancer Registry process begins when a patient first presents for screening:
Registration in the Case Line Listing
Every individual who comes forward is initially registered in the “Case Line Listing,” a temporary holding register that captures basic patient identifiers.
Screening
The registry team proceeds with the patient’s screening, which may include clinical examination, laboratory tests, or imaging studies to detect signs suggestive of cancer.
Screening Outcome
If the screening is positive , the patient is formally enrolled in the National Cancer Registry program.
If the screening is negative , the patient remains in the Case Line Listing for routine follow‑up and possible re‑screening at a later date.
Detailed Case Documentation
Once enrolled in the National program, registry staff record comprehensive clinical details, including:
Tumour Information: Site, histology, stage, and other pathological findings.
Treatment Information: Modality (Surgery, Chemotherapy, Radiotherapy), treatment dates, and treatment intent.
Follow‑Up Information: Patient outcomes, complications, and survival status during subsequent visits.
Closure
After all relevant data have been captured, the case is closed in the registry database, completing the entry for that patient. This structured workflow ensures that every patient is tracked from initial presentation through definitive diagnosis, treatment, and follow‑up, thereby maintaining a robust, longitudinal record for national cancer surveillance and program planning.
V.III Get started
Ready to modernize your disease surveillance? Partner with HISP Rwanda to deploy the DHIS2 Module and transform data into decisions.
Book a Demo: See the system in action and explore its fit for your program.
Tailored Consultation: Our experts will assess your current setup and recommend custom solutions.
Rapid Rollout: Launch quickly with streamlined implementation and training.
Ongoing Support: Access continuous technical assistance, upgrades, and capacity-building.
Contact us at email to: hisp.rwanda@gmail.com or visit us at https://hisprwanda.org to start your journey toward data-driven health interventions
IX. References
- Ministry of Health & Wellness, Jamaica. “Jamaica to Enhance Cancer Data Tracking with New Software.” MOHW Intranet, March2025. https://intranet.moh.gov.jm/blogs/jamaica-to-enhance-cancer-data-tracking-with-new-software/.
- International agency for research on cancer (IARC). Globocan 2020: estimated Cancer incidence, mortality and prevalence worldwide in 2020. Lyon, france: iarc; 2020.
You can also download and read this article in PDF Format:
Implementing the DHIS2 Oncology Module in Jamaica__-A Step Forward in Cancer Data Management by HISP Rwanda.pdf (374.5 KB)
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