Description:
HISP Rwanda led the integration of a Cancer Module into DHIS2 and managed the migration of the CanReg5 system. The project encompassed system development and integration, stakeholder training, data visualization, and user access management—ultimately enhancing cancer data management and reporting across Rwanda.

Role: Technical Project Lead

Impact:
The integrated system has significantly strengthened cancer data management in Rwanda. It has improved data quality, completeness, and timeliness, enabling the formulation of more comprehensive and evidence-based cancer control strategies. Reporting delays have been reduced, facilitating faster access to critical information for decision-making. Additionally, the system allows for the tracking of cancer patients throughout the continuum of care—from diagnosis and treatment to follow-up—while supporting the measurement of progress toward both national and global cancer control targets. This digital innovation represents a major milestone in Rwanda’s efforts to reduce cancer incidence and mortality.

Challenges / Lessons Learned:

• Multiple health facility systems are not yet interoperable, necessitating manual data entry into DHIS2.

• Continuous data quality checks are required by cancer registrars at the national level to maintain accuracy and reliability.

Next Steps:

• Continue integrating DHIS2 with other systems—including EMRs at health facilities, CRVS, and verbal autopsy systems—to achieve a comprehensive national cancer registry.

• Update the DHIS2 CanReg application to enhance validation mechanisms and improve data output functionalities.

• Collaborate with partners to package and deploy the DHIS2 Cancer Registry as a standardized solution.