Electronic Data Management at National TB Programme operational in 2019 following DHIS-2 roll out

Since 2013, Health Management Information System (HMIS) unit is using District Health Information System Version 2 (DHIS-2). DHIS-2 is a web-based tool for data collection, validation, analysis and presentation of aggregate health program data which is very important and crucial for planning, implementation and monitoring of the health programs. In early 2016, with WHO technical advice and support of Global Fund, three national programs (HIV, TB and Malaria) started the dialogues with donors and partners to use DHIS-2 as national reporting platform.

Then, after WHO and partners provided technical and financial support to roll out of DHIS-2, the roll out was held in phase wise manner. From 2019, National TB Program (NTP) information system migrated to DHIS-2. The system is now established as a reliable data source for TB surveillance both at the central as well as townships levels. Currently, there are over 600 reporting units at both public and partner centers implementation DHIS-2 as reporting platform.

An integrated DHIS-2 platform is a very cost effective and sustainable alternative for Myanmar. Vertical DHIS-2 for TB, HIV and malaria programs had potential data mismanagement risks and lead to high resource requirements such as for maintenance, human resource as well as coordination. National TB Programme with support from WHO and partners have implemented recommendations of external experts to proceed and complete the integration early, especially considering limited human resources for health and socio-economic situation of the country. 

In early 2021, integration of DHIS-2 data from three programs including TB into HMIS system was successfully finished with the support of partners including WHO. Although DHIS-2 system in Myanmar is far from perfect, however, integration of data under single HMIS platform was an important milestone in transition to electronic health information management system.