Ethiopia’s health and nutrition data gap and what it means for public health

In a world where data drives decisions, the importance of high-quality health and nutrition data cannot be overstated. Reliable data is the backbone of effective policymaking, intervention planning, and resource allocation—all critical for improving public health outcomes. For Ethiopia, a country grappling with significant health and nutrition challenges, the need for consistent, accurate, and timely data has never been more urgent. However, a significant gap persists between the country’s official data collected through its Health Management Information System (HMIS)—primarily using the national web-based platform District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2)—and the estimates obtained from independent survey-based data. This shortfall in national health and nutrition data quality undermines efforts to address these challenges effectively.