This community innovation has been accepted at the 2026 DHIS2 Annual Conference and will be in abstract track/lightning talk.
Timely MPDSR Analysis and Response through DHIS2
Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) is a critical accountability and quality improvement process that depends on timely, complete, and accessible data. In Zambia, the MPDSR line list was historically maintained in Microsoft Excel, with data manually consolidated from paper-based notification forms at provincial level and submitted to the national level. This approach resulted in delayed access to national data, limited visibility across levels, data inconsistencies, and constrained use of MPDSR information for timely analysis and response. To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health (MoH), with support from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), digitised the MPDSR line list using the DHIS2 Tracker platform. A participatory system redesign process was undertaken in November and December 2025, involving national and provincial teams to review MPDSR tools and data requirements. Data elements from the Excel-based line list, notification forms, audit tools, and near-miss records were harmonised and configured into DHIS2 Tracker. The system was piloted in selected facilities, refined based on user feedback, and historical MPDSR data were cleaned and migrated. Targeted trainings supported integration into routine MPDSR workflows. A pre–post comparison showed improved timeliness following digitisation. The median time from death notification to MPDSR case review reduced from 6 days in 2025 to 4 days in 2026, while the proportion of deaths reviewed within 48 hours increased from 23% to 44%. DHIS2 Tracker enabled real-time visibility of patient-level deaths, tracking of review status and follow-up actions, and improved use of MPDSR data for response.
Primary Author: Fredrick Mumba
Keywords:
MPDSR; DHIS2 Tracker; Maternal and Perinatal Mortality; Digital Health Systems; Mortality Surveillance; Patient-Level Data; Health Information Systems; Data Timeliness; Quality Improvement; Zambia
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