Uganda connects pregnancy and birth records in digital health project

Researchers and health workers in Mukono District are connecting antenatal care, birth, and death records through a digital health registry.

The initiative aims to replace fragmented paper registers with a unified electronic system that follows a woman through her entire pregnancy and into childbirth. This project, known as eReg4ANC, uses the DHIS2 Tracker platform to allow midwives to retrieve a patient's history across different health facilities.

Midwives at Goma Health Centre III and other sites in Mukono District use the electronic registry to identify patients who miss appointments and to track risk factors like high blood pressure. The system reduces the time workers spend on manual data entry and report generation. While the transition to digital tools initially caused some anxiety among staff accustomed to paper, the system now helps midwives provide continuous care when patients move between different health centers.

The project team is currently working to link these records with the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) to improve civil registration. Researchers found that current paper-based workflows require midwives to enter the same information into several different systems, which can lead to errors and delays. The initiative seeks to establish a single-point data-entry workflow to streamline these processes. The project faces logistical hurdles, including limited tablet availability, unreliable electricity, and the need for ongoing staff training.

While some facilities have fully transitioned to paperless records, others are still in the process of adoption. The team continues to adjust the software to meet national reporting requirements and to ensure different devices can communicate across various points of care.