Health Ministry rolls out electronic system to boost services

Ministry of Health Principal Secretary Mary Muriuki Muthoni during the launch of Polio vaccination campaigns across the Country at a Nairobi Hotel on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.  [Samson Wire, Standard]

The Ministry of Health is to capture data using the electronic Community Health Information System (e-CHIS) system on services provided to households.

Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the government had provided 110,000 smartphones to the Community Health Promoters (CHPs) in the 47 counties to carry out an extensive rollout of the e-CHIS across the country.

Speaking in her office, Ms Muthoni noted as of July 2, 2024, over 100,000 CHPs were using the digital system to capture data at the household levels and transmitting upwards to the other levels of care.

“The E-CHIS system is a significant milestone because it has enhanced data collection and analysis capabilities, which lead to more informed decision-making and efficient resource allocation,” she said.

The system is to register 12.5 million households across the country, with an average household with five individuals.

“So far, we have registered 6.9 Million households across the country, and 4.3 million have been visited and screened for diabetes. The CHPs have then referred 74,000 to health facilities,” she said.

Ms Muthoni said about 4.23 Million people have been screened for diabetes, and 186,000 were referred to Level 2 health facilities for further follow-up.

On maternal health 161,000 pregnant women have been identified by CHPs and 63,500 have been referred to the facilities.

A total of 3.92 million children under the age of five have been assessed for common ailments such as malnutrition, and the data collected has informed us about the rollout of the deworming program.

“This has been possible through the eCHIS real-time data and the CHPs who are the in the frontline of the program,” Ms Muthoni said.

She said the E-CHIS data will be available to health facilities to ensure a seamless flow of services to the counties.

The PS said the initiative ensures that health services are delivered more effectively and equitably, reaching even the most remote and underserved communities.

PS Muthoni explained that the real-time data from the e-CHIS would lead to timely and accurate collection and analysis of health information.

This enables healthcare providers and policymakers to make data-driven decisions quickly, ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently, where they are needed most. This leads to better health outcomes and more efficient use of resources.

She said the eCHIS streamlines operations for health workers by digitizing health records and processes.

“This ensures better continuity of care, as health workers can easily access patient records and histories, leading to higher treatment compliance rates,” she explained.

Ms Muthoni noted the eCHIS reduces the time spent on administrative tasks, allowing health workers to focus more on patient care.

On the collaboration of CHPs, the PS said the National Government is to pay stipends to CHPs in 45 counties for May 2024. The Counties not on stipend are Mombasa and Mandera. 

She observed that a few counties lag in rolling out e-CHIS and last-mile distribution of CHP kits and supplies.