Implementing an Open Source Hospital Information System: Lessons from the OpenClinic GA Pilot in Burkina Faso

The implementation of OpenClinic GA in Burkina Faso demonstrates that a nationally governed, open-source hospital information system (HIS) can be successfully adapted and operationalized in a resource-constrained setting. This descriptive case study reports on the pilot deployment conducted between 2024 and 2025 at the Manga University and Regional Hospital Center. Guided by a national HIS reference framework, the system was customized to reflect real patient clinical journey, local administrative workflows, and national clinical practices, while integrating international interoperability standards (HL7, ICD-11, SNOMED-CT). User acceptance testing validated functional readiness after iterative corrections, leading to full digitization of admissions, high pharmacy module utilization, and effective use of the electronic patient record across multiple departments. The study highlights the importance of national governance, participatory customization, and capacity building for sustainable HIS deployment. Beyond the national context, this experience provides transferable lessons for other African countries and for health systems seeking modular, interoperable, and sovereign digital solutions.