Health Management Information System (HMIS)
The Health Management Information System (HMIS) in Dominica is a pivotal part of the country’s national digital health transformation. Implemented in 2025 under the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project (CARDTP) with World Bank and OECS support, the system was developed to modernize the way public health services capture, store, share, and analyze clinical and administrative data across Dominica’s health sector.
Objectives and Scope of HMIS
HMIS aims to enhance service delivery by centralising patient records, reducing paperwork, and improving decision-making through data-driven insights. The digital system links the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, the Portsmouth Hospital, Marigot Hospital and more than 40 primary care clinics nationwide. Its functions include:
- Electronic patient registration and appointment scheduling
- Real-time access to medical histories, diagnoses, and prescriptions
- Digital referrals, lab requests, and discharge notes
- Tracking and reporting for national health indicators
Previously disjointed records, especially those in rural clinics, are now housed in a unified cloud-based environment. This enables care teams to access information instantly, improving accuracy and efficiency.
Clinical and Administrative Integration
HMIS has substantially impacted both clinical practice and public health management. Health workers, particularly nurses and physicians, can now input patient information during home visits using Android tablets that sync with the central system. This is critical in communities with intermittent internet connectivity, but service demand remains high.
Hospital staff can quickly review patient backgrounds, manage medication lists, and monitor inpatient admissions. Meanwhile, administrative users gain access to dashboards that show stock levels, service coverage, and performance metrics, supporting better logistics and budget planning.
As of mid-2025, more than 14 senior health professionals had completed formal HMIS training, and workshops were ongoing for additional staff. Clinical staff have welcomed the changes, noting reduced duplication and shorter patient waiting times.
Technology Platform and Rollout
The system is built on the internationally recognised DHIS2 platform, which powers health information systems in over 75 countries. Dominica’s version was customised for its size and resource base, integrating administrative and clinical modules.
Key features of Dominica’s HMIS include:
- Role-based access controls and encrypted data storage
- Web and mobile interfaces are adaptable for low-bandwidth environments
- Modular tools for antenatal care, vaccination, chronic disease, and outpatient tracking
The rollout took a phased approach, starting with centralised institutions and expanding to outposts such as La Plaine Health Centre, Newtown Health Centre, and Grand Bay Health Centre.
Future Outlook and National Impact
HMIS is more than a technological innovation; it reflects a broader shift toward digital governance in healthcare. The Ministry of Health envisions the system becoming a foundation for future initiatives like telemedicine, epidemic tracking, and even integration with national ID systems.
As Dominica advances toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC), HMIS helps align public health goals with practical tools for service monitoring, resource allocation, and equitable access. While digital literacy and technical capacity remain challenges in some areas, government efforts to train personnel and upgrade connectivity continue in parallel.
By building a reliable, secure, and inclusive digital health framework, Dominica sets a precedent in the OECS for how small island nations can effectively harness technology for the public good.