Dr Wamicwe: Digital health critical in service delivery

Phanice Okuso, 60, a retired nurse conducting a breast cancer screening at Kakamega Oasis Multi-Specialty Hospital. [Nathan Ochunge, Standard]

The head of the Division of Research and Innovation at the Ministry of Health Dr Joyce Wamicwe has backed Digital Health as the significant pillar towards the realisation of service delivery at all health facilities in line with the Government's pursuit of implementation of Universal Health Coverage.

Speaking on day 3 of the ongoing HIV Service Delivery Integration Summit at a Mombasa hotel, Dr Wamicwe noted that digital health provides a framework for the provision of e-health services, establishes an integrated e-health management information system, data governance and protection of personal health information, service delivery through digital health interventions among others.

She reiterated the implications held by last year's parliament-approved Digital Health Act to the local health sector as it's expected to enhance healthcare delivery through more efficient and integrated services, facilitate data management and portability, and potentially position Kenya as a leader in digital health in the region.

The Kenya Health Management Information Systems project aims to ensure that HIV data collection paper records are digitised, scaling up data availability towards the delivery of patient-centered care and improving data demand and use for individual-level data.

Various initiatives are underway to support the use of telemedicine in Kenya to support the delivery of healthcare to all particularly in rural locations, and help resolve challenges including long waiting times to see specialists, poor health outcomes, and a lack of timely quality care.

"We champion local manufacturing of health products and technologies, promoting self-reliance and cost-effectiveness in our healthcare sector. Digital solutions such as telemedicine and electronic health records have simplified healthcare delivery and improved the patient experience," she explained