Transforming Iraq’s health data with DHIS2:

a national digital transformation

Stronger WHO country presence for a healthier and safer world

Joint Outcome 3.3.

 

Health information systems strengthened, and digital transformation implemented

 

I raq’s health sector faced long-standing challenges in data fragmentation, delayed reporting and limited evidence-based decision-making, particularly in immunization services. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) Iraq, in collaboration with the Iraqi Ministry of Health (MoH), the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and other stakeholders, launched the district health information software 2 (DHIS2) platform across 1877 health facilities nationwide.

This initiative, grounded in strong leadership and national ownership, has fostered an enabling environment for digital transformation, enhancing real-time data collection, analysis and utilization. As a result, DHIS2 has improved immunization service delivery, expanded to other health programmes and laid the foundation for a sustainable national health information system.

 

Strengthening national leadership

The successful implementation of DHIS2 in Iraq was driven by strong national leadership and ownership by the Iraqi MoH, ensuring alignment with national health priorities.

A participant logs into Iraq's DHIS2 EPI data collection platform during the capacity-building workshop in Erbil (8–13 April 2023).©WHO/WHO Iraq

From the outset, WHO Iraq emphasized a multi-stakeholder partnership approach, engaging the WHO Regional Office, UNICEF, the United Nations Population Fund, the International Organization for Migration and other partners under one country team. This collaboration created an enabling environment for digital transformation, ensuring the initiative was technically sound and locally led.

Capacity-building and ownership

WHO invested heavily in training over 3000 national staff to manage and operate the DHIS2 system, ensuring knowledge transfer and long-term sustainability.

 

A mother brings her child to Al-Saydiyah Primary Health Care Centre in Baghdad, Iraq, for vaccination against polio, measles, and other diseases. The implementation of DHIS2 enables real-time monitoring of immunization data, enhancing efficiency and supporting a data-driven health system. ©WHO/WHO Iraq.

This included:

  • Establishing a national data centre and server, supported by UNICEF but owned and fully managed by Iraqi teams, reinforcing the country’s ability to independently lead its digital transformation;

  • Providing targeted capacity-building workshops to enhance digital literacy among health workers;

  • Strengthening a core team of DHIS2 experts within the MoH to lead future digital health initiatives.

Overcoming challenges and driving adoption

Resistance to change initially posed a barrier to DHIS2 adoption.

WHO played a key role in:

  • Engaging stakeholders through capacity-building workshops and continuous communication to build trust and encourage the adoption of digital solutions;

  • Addressing infrastructure limitations by ensuring the interoperability of DHIS2 with existing health systems;

  • Mobilizing financial and technical resources, in collaboration with United Nations agencies and government partners, to sustain and scale the initiative.

Continuous engagement with stakeholders helped to maintain momentum for the adoption of digital solutions.

Results and measurable impact

The implementation of DHIS2 has significantly improved Iraq’s health data management, leading to measurable improvements

Improved data quality and timeliness:

Reporting of immunization-related data has transitioned from the district level to 100% facility-level coverage. This shift has significantly improved data accuracy and timeliness, enabling real-time monitoring, better resource allocation, more efficient decision-making, and, ultimately, improved health outcomes.

Programme expansion:

Encouraged by the success in immunization, DHIS2 is now being scaled to additional health programmes, with ongoing efforts to develop and implement new digital solutions tailored to Iraq's health care needs.

Enhanced national capacity:

A national DHIS2 core team within the MoH now drives the expansion and integration of digital health initiatives, ensuring the long-term vision and sustainability of Iraq’s digital transformation.

 

WHO’s continued technical guidance has ensured that DHIS2 remains adaptable across various health programmes, addressing challenges such as connectivity gaps and integration with existing health information systems. These efforts have positioned Iraq as a model for digital transformation in fragile and complex settings.

The successful implementation of DHIS2 in Iraq has strengthened data-driven decision-making, improved immunization service delivery and enhanced health system efficiency. By expanding DHIS2 to additional health programmes, Iraq is laying the groundwork for a fully integrated national health information system. This transformation enables real-time tracking of disease outbreaks, better resource allocation and more equitable access to essential health services, particularly in underserved areas. Moving forward, WHO and partners will continue working closely with the Iraqi MoH in leveraging digital solutions to enhance service delivery, strengthen health security and improve population health outcomes.