The Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria (HRORBN) has organised a capacity-building retreat for Health Information Management (HIM) tutors, coordinators and Heads of Departments to promote the integration of the District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) into teaching and practical learning across training institutions in Nigeria.

The retreat brought together stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, and HIM training institutions nationwide, underscoring the importance of digital competence in strengthening Nigeria’s health information system.

Speaking on behalf of the Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, the Head of the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, Dr. Anthony Adoge, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to building a data-driven health sector, emphasising the critical role of HIM professionals in achieving this objective.

“As part of the mandate of the Ministry, we are committed to ensuring that the health sector is data-driven, and HIM professionals are central to achieving this,” Dr. Adoge stated.

He disclosed that the Ministry was working towards ensuring that DHIS2 enumerators were trained and licensed HIM practitioners. He also emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring that health facilities were manned by duly licensed HIM professionals.

Dr. Adoge assured participants that the Ministry would continue to support HRORBN in building the capacity of HIM professionals to meet global standards. He urged the participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the training and apply the knowledge gained in their respective institutions.

In his remarks, the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of HRORBN, Alhaji Babagana Mustapha, described the retreat as part of the Board’s sustained efforts to strengthen HIM education and equip graduates with the competencies required to meet the evolving demands of Nigeria’s healthcare system.

“The healthcare sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation. The effective management of health information increasingly depends on digital platforms, reliable data, and the ability to analyse and interpret information for evidence-based decision-making,” he said.

Alhaji Babagana explained that the retreat was designed to consolidate knowledge acquired during the initial phase of the training, deepen participants’ understanding of DHIS2 and enhance their practical competence in using the platform for health data collection, management, analysis and reporting.

He urged participating institutions to ensure that the benefits of the training extended beyond the immediate participants through knowledge-sharing sessions for other tutors, opportunities for practical application, integration of DHIS2 competencies into approved curricula, and mechanisms for monitoring the implementation and impact of the training.

“As coordinators and Heads of Departments, you occupy strategic positions in the delivery of quality HIM education. I encourage you to take responsibility for promoting digital learning and supporting tutors in applying their newly acquired skills,” the Registrar said.

He further stressed that digital competence must be complemented by sound professional knowledge, data confidentiality, information security, ethical conduct and an unwavering commitment to data quality.

According to him, these competencies are essential for building public trust in health information, improving healthcare planning and strengthening service delivery.

Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Clean Nigeria Campaign, Dr. Chizoma Opara, who represented the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, commended HRORBN for organising the retreat, describing it as a valuable contribution to data-driven education and public health development.

Dr. Opara highlighted the Federal Government’s Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign, which seeks to end open defecation, and emphasised the importance of reliable data in tracking progress, identifying vulnerable communities and guiding targeted interventions.

She noted that DHIS2 provides an important platform for effective data collection, management, analysis and reporting, enabling evidence-based decisions and more targeted public health interventions.

“The District Health Information Software 2 provides an important platform for effective data collection, management, analysis and reporting, enabling evidence-based decisions and targeted interventions. Integrating DHIS2 into teaching will strengthen the capacity of future health professionals to use data to address public health challenges, including poor sanitation and open defecation,” she said.

The retreat reinforces HRORBN’s commitment to developing a competent, technology-driven and forward-looking HIM workforce capable of supporting Nigeria’s evolving health data ecosystem.

By strengthening the capacity of HIM educators and promoting the integration of digital health tools into professional training, the Board aims to ensure that future practitioners are better equipped to contribute to quality data generation, informed policy decisions and improved healthcare delivery across the country.