We achieved two key digital health milestones in 2024:

CDR was successfully deployed.

With Jembi's support, the Addis Ababa City Administration Health Bureau (AACAHB) implemented a CDR for HIV programmeprogram data, connecting more than 5065 health facilities and managing over 201,298 patient records. Data aggregation time fell from weeks to days, with 99.9% data accuracy, enabling more responsive decision-making.

Foundations for National Health Data Integration

Beyond Addis Ababa, the project established the technical foundation architecture for Ethiopia's planned National Data Repository and Health Data Warehouse. Early work on an MPI has begun (as in the Kenyan example), addressing the need for unified patient identification across the health system.

Building local capacity

The project focused on knowledge transfer through hands-on training for AACAHB and ICAP teams, comprehensive documentation handover, and a structured transition of day-to-day operations to ICAP, supporting long-term sustainability.

Technical innovation

The CDR uses open-source technologies with established health data standards:

• An OpenHIE-compliant architecture utilises OpenHIM to facilitate secure data exchange.

• The FHIR standard ensures future interoperability and longitudinal patient records.

• PowerBI dashboards provide clear insights for decision-makers.

Why this work matters

• For patients: Integrated records support safer, more reliable care

• For health officers: Automated data aggregation reduces admin burden

• For programme managers: Timely data enables better decision-making

• For funders: Shared infrastructure creates lasting value and improves reporting

The Ethiopia CDR project shows how joint digital health initiatives can lead to real, lasting improvements in health system performance. The project has brought about both the technical systems and the skills needed on the ground for Ethiopia's digital health future.