Introduction: Data driven decision making is vital in the field of healthcare administration, especially, developing countries with low-resources. However, costly tools, such as Power BI, pose a barrier to access. This study highlights the importance of leveraging free and open-source tools to create decision dashboards that empower health administrators with data-driven insights.
Method: Initial review was undertaken to understand data visualization techniques utilized in countries with low-resources. Key informant interviews were conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of stakeholder requirements. Selection of indicators for the initial dashboard was based on reviewing of relevant literature and stakeholder inputs.
Results: The review revealed that open-source tool Apache-Superset as most suitable for creating decision dashboards. This platform was chosen due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to provide robust features for data visualization and analysis. Most stakeholders requested for user-friendly interface, various types of data visualisation and near real-time data updates. The interviews and literature revealed many indicators. However, group one indicators in the national health performance framework, were selected for initial dashboards as these data are available through routine systems.
Conclusion: While tools such as Power BI are widely used, Apache-Superset, despite its limited functionality, offers a more cost-effective alternative, especially in resource-constrained environments. By embracing open-source solutions for data-driven decision-making, healthcare administrators in developing countries can overcome financial limitations and lead their institutions towards more efficient and effective healthcare systems. However, because it is relatively new and requires more technical knowledge to install, the software has certain drawbacks, including limited open-source support.