The value of open source software goes far beyond cost. Open source software does provide a set of cost-effective, adaptable options for countries, but the benefits of open source are more complex and nuanced than cost savings. The growth of the open source ecosystem is due in large part to an ethos of openness that has reduced barriers of entry for new solutions, allowed countries the flexibility to deploy customizable solutions to meet their needs, and provided key capacity-building opportunities for emergent entrepreneurs and technologists in the countries where these systems were being deployed. Open source software can also deepen country ownership of their digital health systems, expanding a country’s choices for data hosting, vendor support, and applications beyond a single health vertical or program.
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