Introduction¶
The DHIS2 Python Client is a lightweight yet powerful library designed to connect DHIS2 with the wider data science ecosystem.
It was built to meet the needs of data practitioners, analysts, and program managers who rely on DHIS2 as a cornerstone of their information systems. While many climate, environmental, or socio-economic datasets may come from outside DHIS2, this client ensures that DHIS2 data can be easily accessed, integrated, and contributed back. Used alongside other climate-tools, it becomes part of a broader ecosystem that brings diverse data sources together for harmonization, orchestration, analysis, and ultimately decision making.
The client makes it simple to pull data out of DHIS2 for analysis and push curated results back into DHIS2 for use in dashboards, decision making, or further integration.
Why This Library is Needed¶
Effective decision making in health, climate, and beyond depends on timely, harmonized data — whether linking malaria or dengue with rainfall, assessing facility readiness during heatwaves, or connecting air quality to NCDs. DHIS2 often provides the program and health side, but integrating it with external datasets can be complex.
Metadata management adds another hurdle: creating or updating data elements, datasets, or organisation units in the DHIS2 Maintenance app requires repetitive, manual steps. The DHIS2 Python Client addresses these challenges by providing a clear, reliable interface that:
- Simplifies access to DHIS2 by removing the complexity of API calls, authentication, and paging
- Enables bi-directional exchange (pulling and pushing data)
- Delivers consistent outputs ready for analysis and pipelines
- Streamlines metadata creation through scripted, reproducible updates
Getting started¶
The library is packaged as part of the climate-tools ecosystem but if you want to use it outside the cliamte-tools, installation instructions and other details are available from the DHIS2 Python Client GitHub repository.
Below are some examples using the library:
Looking Ahead¶
The DHIS2 Python Client serves as a bridge between DHIS2 and the wider data ecosystem.
It makes it easier to pull data from DHIS2 and push results back in, helping position DHIS2 as part of integrated information systems. On its own it improves access and efficiency; combined with other climate-tools, it supports the broader goal of harmonizing diverse datasets into useful evidence for better programs and more resilient policies.