New study highlights DHIS2’s impact on vaccine-preventable disease surveillance in Paraguay
Research shows how the DHIS2-based VPD-SMART system improved data quality, timeliness, and use for public health decision-making.
A newly published study in the journal SSM – Health Systems provides strong evidence of how DHIS2 can strengthen public health surveillance through digital transformation, using Paraguay’s implementation of the VPD-SMART system as a case study.
The research documents Paraguay’s transition from legacy systems to VPD-SMART, a DHIS2-based platform developed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) to modernize surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) across the Americas.
According to the study, the shift to a decentralized, web-based DHIS2 architecture resulted in substantial improvements in data quality and timeliness. Consistency for key surveillance variables increased from 54% to 97%, while reporting timelines improved significantly, moving “from a weekly to a daily basis.”
These technical improvements translated directly into better data use at all levels of the health system.
“The transition to VPD-SMART significantly improved data quality, consistency, and timeliness, empowering health authorities with real-time, data-driven insights,” the authors noted.
Qualitative findings from interviews with surveillance staff and decision-makers showed that DHIS2 dashboards, visualizations, and built-in validation rules enabled users to move beyond reporting toward active analysis and local decision-making. Respondents described increased confidence in the data and greater ability to detect trends and respond more rapidly to potential outbreaks.
The study also highlights the importance of structured implementation, training, and institutional commitment. PAHO’s phased deployment approach supported adoption, improved data quality, and helped build the foundation for long-term sustainability of the system.
This work reflects collaboration across the global DHIS2 ecosystem, including a memorandum of understanding between PAHO and the HISP Centre at the University of Oslo (HISP UiO) to strengthen digital health capacity and surveillance systems worldwide. Co-authors of the study include contributors from HISP UiO and local implementation partner HISP Colombia, who supported software development and technical implementation alongside PAHO and national immunization teams.
While focused on Paraguay, the findings offer lessons for other countries seeking to modernize disease surveillance systems. The authors conclude that leveraging DHIS2 can help bridge the gap between data availability and effective use for decision-making, policy formulation, and research.
To learn more about VPD-SMART in the Americas, check out this presentation by PAHO from the DHIS2 2025 Annual Conference:
For media inquiries, email comms@dhis2.org.
