Vizhinjam, a historically prominent coastal town in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala State, India, is now known for its international port. It is in Vizhinjam, India’s first deepwater transhipment terminal is being developed. 

For the Free Open Source Software community, particularly the #DHIS2 family, Vizhinjam holds a different kind of significance.

In 2005, the Vizhinjam Primary Health Centre globally pilot-tested DHIS2, the world’s largest health information management system based on the open-source software platform and developed in collaboration between the University of Oslo and 23 local groups in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. This was a significant milestone, marking the conceptualisation and testing of DHIS2.

Prof. Sundeep Sahay, the founder and President of #HISPIndia, played a key role in the initial pilot of DHIS2 in India, working alongside colleagues from Oslo. The project began with the development of the first DHIS2 prototype in Kovalam, a small town near Vizhinjam, which is also known for its beaches. The prototype was initially implemented in this primary health centre in Vizhinjam. The project expanded across Kerala, supported by an MoU with the State
government and key contributions from then Health Minister Ms Sreemathi Teacher. The collaboration extended to the Sri Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram, which played a crucial role in the development of DHIS2. Kerala’s commitment to open-source initiatives supported by Richard Stallman, a renowned advocate for open-source principles, reinforced the states dedication to these values.

The former primary health centre has now been upgraded to a community health centre, with considerable development in infrastructure as well. In 2025, our team made an unexpected and delightful visit to the Vizhinjam Community Health Centre. It’s always a pleasure to revisit our roots!

Currently, more than 80 countries worldwide use DHIS2 to collect and analyse health data. 3.2 billion people (40% of the world’s population) live in countries where DHIS2 is used. Isn’t it awe-inspiring to visit the health centre where it all began?