Knowledge Base
Curated questions and answers from the SSHIA community — practical guidance on health information systems, standards, data protection and careers in health informatics.
Q&A library
Top questions
The most-read questions from the community knowledge base — each with community answers, rated from beginner to advanced.
Getting Started
How do I start a career in health informatics in South Sudan?
Start with foundational training (such as SSHIA’s Introduction to Public Health Informatics), gain practical experience with facility data, and join the association for mentorship and networking. Many…
Getting Started
What is health informatics?
Health informatics is the discipline that combines healthcare, information technology and data science to manage and use health information effectively. In practice it covers how health data is collec…
Systems & Tools
Which software skills are most valuable for an HIO?
DHIS2 mastery, spreadsheet analysis (pivot tables, quality checks), basic SQL for data extraction, and growing demand for interoperability (HL7/FHIR) and data visualisation skills. Which software skil…
Membership
How is my personal data protected?
SSHIA applies its Data Protection and Privacy Policy: data is used only for association purposes, access is role-restricted, credentials are encrypted, and you may request correction or deletion at an…
Membership
What does SSHIA membership include?
Membership includes training discounts, mentorship access, publications, the member portal, voting rights (per category) and invitations to events and the annual conference. What does SSHIA membership…
Training & Certification
Can training fees be waived or sponsored?
SSHIA offers a limited number of sponsored places funded by partners. Apply through the normal application form and tick the scholarship request box; selections are need- and merit-based. Can training…
Training & Certification
How do I verify an SSHIA certificate?
Use the Verify Certificate page on this website and enter the verification code printed on the certificate. The system instantly confirms name, programme and validity. How do I verify an SSHIA certifi…
Data Management
What are the key dimensions of data quality?
Completeness, timeliness, accuracy, consistency, validity and uniqueness. SSHIA training covers practical methods to assess and improve each dimension at facility level. What are the key dimensions of…
Data Management
How often should facility data be submitted to the national HMIS?
Facilities submit monthly reports through the established reporting channel; timeliness targets are the 7th of the following month. Daily and weekly indicators (such as disease surveillance) follow se…
Systems & Tools
What is DHIS2 and why does South Sudan use it?
DHIS2 is the District Health Information Software — an open-source health management information system used by over 70 countries. South Sudan uses it to aggregate routine health data from facilities…
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