The Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) team at Hararghe Health Research (HHR) plays a crucial role in monitoring and improving population health in Eastern Ethiopia. Established in the Haramaya district, the HDSS covers 12 kebeles (sub-districts) and operates at altitudes ranging from 1600 to 2100 meters above sea level.

The HDSS team is part of the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) network, which aims to reduce child mortality by generating reliable health and demographic data. This data helps inform policies and strategies to prevent child deaths. The team conducts regular surveillance to gather actionable health information, focusing on maternal and child health.