This abstract has been accepted at the 2024 DHIS2 Annual Conference
The Sri Lankan dhis2 Community of Practice - Building and Sustaining Success
Case Study: The Sri Lankan dhis2 Community of Practice - Building and Sustaining Success Context: Sri Lanka, like many countries, faced challenges in implementing and maintaining dhis2-based Systems. While the global dhis22 community offered support, Sri Lanka needed context-specific solutions and capacity building tailored to its unique cultural and organizational landscape. Solution: In response, HISP Sri Lanka, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, established the dhis2 Community of Practice (CoP) in 2022. The CoP strategically mapped stakeholders, including HISP members, government officials, academic institutions, and technical specialists. Through needs assessments, the CoP identified gaps and conducted targeted training sessions, fostering technical capacity in dhis2 administration, configuration, data analysis, and utilization. Key Activities: The CoP actively engaged in regular meetings, webinars, and online forums, fostering knowledge sharing, problem-solving, and peer support. Its transformative impact manifested in a substantial rise in dhis2 system usage within Sri Lanka. The CoP played a pivotal role in addressing cultural nuances and local barriers, enabling the seamless integration of dhis2 into the established landscape. This approach not only instilled a sense of ownership but also diminished reliance on external support. By strategically navigating these challenges, the CoP ensured the sustained success of dhis2, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone for improved data management in Sri Lanka. Lessons Learned: The Sri Lankan experience provides essential insights for countries optimizing dhis2 implementation. Localized Communities of Practice (CoPs) prove pivotal, fostering ownership, enhancing communication, and delivering context-sensitive solutions. Inclusion of diverse expertise, spanning health, IT, and academia, ensures comprehensive support and varied perspectives. The CoP’s success in elevating data quality underscores the value of localized communities, promoting ownership and effective communication. The collaboration of stakeholders from different sectors contributes to adaptability and continuous learning, essential for meeting evolving needs in health information system management. Conclusion: The Sri Lankan dhis2 CoP serves as a model for other countries looking to optimize their health information systems. The community-driven approach, with its emphasis on collaboration, adaptability to local contexts, and stakeholder empowerment, offers a valuable roadmap for leveraging dhis2 for improved health data management and decision-making. Ultimately, the lessons learned from the Sri Lankan experience highlight the importance of tailoring solutions to the specific needs of individual countries and cultivating a sense of ownership within the community for long-term success and sustainability.
Primary Author: Ashan Diunugalge
Keywords:
Community of Practice (CoP), dhis2, Sri Lanka, Sustainability
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Hi @DrAshan
Great to hear about a localized CoP experience. Hopefully, this could also lead to improvement in the global CoP as well. Looking forward to hearing more details about this.
Thanks!
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