Jamaica Makes History with DHIS2 Software for Cancer Reporting
Jamaica has become a trailblazer in cancer reporting as it becomes the second country in the world, and the first in the Caribbean, to utilize the District Health Information Software version 2 (DHIS2) for population-wide reporting on cancer burden. This groundbreaking achievement is made possible through a grant awarded to the Jamaican Ministry of Health & Wellness by the Bloomberg Philanthropies Data for Health (D4H) Initiative’s Global Grants Programme.
The project, titled ‘Using DHIS2 to Strengthen Cancer Registration Data Systems in Low-resourced Countries: From Rwanda to Jamaica’, was submitted in collaboration with the Caribbean Public Health Agency. The objective is to enhance cancer control by establishing a data collection and reporting system, which will improve the availability of national cancer data. This data will play a crucial role in guiding cancer prevention and control strategies within the country.
Speaking at the project launch, Minister of Health & Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton, emphasized the importance of local data in shaping effective responses, policy development, and program monitoring for comprehensive cancer prevention and control. With the inclusion of data collection and utilization improvements within the National Cancer Registry in Jamaica’s National Strategic and Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Cancer, this initiative takes a significant stride towards achieving these goals.
According to the April 2023 publication of Jamaica’s Vitals, the NCDs Edition, cancer is the leading cause of death in the country. In 2020 alone, it accounted for approximately 23.7% of non-communicable disease deaths and 18.9% of all deaths. The report also revealed 7,348 new cancer cases and 4,746 cancer-related deaths in the same year. Breast and prostate cancers were identified among the top six leading causes of death, with breast cancer witnessing a 63% increase and prostate cancer a 25% increase between 2010 and 2020.
The implementation of DHIS2 in Jamaica is poised to revolutionize cancer reporting, providing vital insights into the scale and impact of the disease on the population. The utilization of this health information management platform will enable the National Cancer Registry to collect and analyze data more efficiently and systematically. By customizing an oncology module within DHIS2, the system will optimize the reporting and tracking of cancer cases.
Jamaica’s progress in adopting DHIS2 sets an example for other countries in the region and globally. The accessibility and usability of this software can enhance cancer data collection and reporting systems in low-resourced countries, leading to improved cancer control measures and ultimately saving lives.
Through the partnership between the Jamaican Ministry of Health & Wellness, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and the Caribbean Public Health Agency, Jamaica is taking a significant step forward in its fight against cancer. By harnessing the power of DHIS2, the nation is paving the way for more effective cancer prevention, control, and ultimately, a healthier future for all its citizens.
