# gnuhealth-client

> GNU Health GTK client

**Wikidata**: [Q116108611](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116108611)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gnuhealth-client

## Summary
The **gnuhealth-client** is the official GTK desktop interface for the GNU Health Hospital Management System (HMIS). It is free software designed to connect users to the GNU Health server to manage hospital and clinical data. The client is maintained by Luis Falcón and the non-profit organization GNU Solidario.

## Key Facts
- **Software Type:** Free software; Computer program.
- **Function:** Desktop client for the GNU Health ecosystem.
- **Graphical Framework:** Built using the GTK toolkit.
- **Creator/Maintainer:** Luis Falcón (Spanish computer scientist and physician).
- **Copyright Holders:** Luis Falcón and GNU Solidario.
- **Latest Stable Version:** 5.0.1 (Released December 15, 2025).
- **Aliases:** Also known as GNUHealth HMIS client, GNU Health Hospital Management client, and GNU Health HOSPITAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM GTK Client.
- **Parent Project:** Part of the GNU Health software suite.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary function of gnuhealth-client?
A: It serves as the desktop user interface for the GNU Health Hospital Management System, allowing healthcare professionals to interact with the system's backend server using the GTK framework.

### Q: Who maintains and holds the copyright for gnuhealth-client?
A: The software is maintained by Luis Falcón. The copyright is held jointly by Luis Falcón and the organization GNU Solidario.

### Q: What is the most recent version of the software?
A: According to provided data, the most recent stable release is version 5.0.1, published on December 15, 2025.

## Why It Matters
The gnuhealth-client is a critical component of the GNU Health ecosystem, which is a leading free software solution for health management. By providing a dedicated GTK-based desktop interface, it enables medical professionals to access comprehensive hospital management tools without relying on proprietary software. This aligns with the ethos of Free Software, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute the program.

The client bridges the gap between complex medical data logic and user interaction, facilitating the management of patient records and hospital operations. Its development is spearheaded by Luis Falcón, a physician and computer scientist, ensuring the tool is technically sound while addressing real-world clinical needs. The continued updates—spanning from version 4.0.2 in late 2022 to version 5.0.1 in late 2025—demonstrate an active commitment to evolving the software for modern healthcare requirements.

## Notable For
- **GTK Interface:** Distinguished as the specific GTK-based client for the GNU Health system.
- **Free Software Philosophy:** Fully classified as free software, prioritizing user liberties.
- **Medical Leadership:** Created by a practicing physician and computer scientist, bridging the gap between technical and medical fields.
- **Rapid Release Cycle:** Demonstrates frequent updates, with multiple stable versions (4.2.0, 4.2.1, 4.4.0, 5.0.0) released throughout 2023.

## Body

### Overview
The gnuhealth-client is the desktop software component of the wider GNU Health Hospital Management System (HMIS). Classified as a free computer program, it provides the graphical user interface (GUI) necessary for end-users to interact with the services provided by a GNU Health server. The application relies on the GTK toolkit for its visual components.

### Authorship and Licensing
The project was initiated and is maintained by **Luis Falcón**, a Spanish computer scientist and physician born in 1970. The copyright is attributed to both Luis Falcón and the organization **GNU Solidario**. The software is distributed under a free software license, granting users the freedom to study, modify, and distribute the code.

### Release History
The software has undergone significant iterative development, as evidenced by the version history provided in the source data. Key releases include:

- **Version 4.0.2:** Released on December 14, 2022.
- **Version 4.2.0:** Released on February 11, 2023.
- **Version 4.2.1:** Released on December 21, 2023.
- **Version 4.4.0:** Released on December 23, 2023.
- **Version 5.0.0:** Released on June 30, 2025.
- **Version 5.0.1:** Released on December 15, 2025.

## References

1. [Source](https://hg.savannah.gnu.org/hgweb/health/file/26a08ea34606/gnuhealth-client/COPYRIGHT)
2. [GNU Health Hospital Management client 4.0.2 available. 2022](https://savannah.gnu.org/forum/forum.php?forum_id=10266)
3. [Source](https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/health/)