Kisumu County health sector ready to transform with digital health solutions

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong'o (center) during the launch of Digital Health Roadmap and the Kisumu Health Information Exchange and Data Repository blueprint. [Washington Onyango,Standard]

Kisumu County health sector is ready to embrace a transformative shift in its healthcare delivery through the integration of digital technologies, as announced during the Lake Region Digital Health Conference.

Hosted in Kisumu, the conference brought together key leaders, including Kisumu Governor Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, who highlighted the county's progress in utilizing digital tools to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Governor Nyong'o outlined the county's experience since the launch of its UHC initiative in 2018, noting that Kisumu has been at the forefront of digital health adoption.

From the digital registration of over 850,000 residents via the M-TIBA platform to the creation of the Kisumu Social Health Insurance Scheme, the county has steadily advanced in improving access to healthcare for its residents.

The introduction of a comprehensive community health information system, in collaboration with Living Goods, has further enhanced the county's ability to deliver targeted health services to its most vulnerable populations.

"We have fully digitized our community health system, enabling us to track household visits and flag community members for health services," Nyong'o said.

"This system has contributed significantly to improving maternal and child health indicators, including reducing stunting rates and increasing skilled birth attendance."

The Governor's speech resonated with the conference theme, "Harnessing Technology for Inclusive UHC," where he emphasized the critical role of innovative health financing and digital solutions in reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

Nyong'o stressed that primary healthcare, supported by robust health financing arrangements, is the backbone of achieving UHC.

He also called for more collaboration and resource mobilization to support vulnerable populations, ensuring that health services are accessible to everyone, regardless of their socio-economic status.

Nyong'o's sentiments were echoed by the Regional Director of the Eastern Africa Regional Collaborating Center (RCC) of the Africa CDC, who emphasized the need for regional cooperation in accelerating digital health adoption.

In his keynote address, he highlighted Africa CDC's Digital Health Transformation Strategy, which seeks to modernize healthcare systems across the continent. This strategy includes the implementation of the African Union Health Information Exchange (AU-HIE) guidelines and standards, which aim to streamline data sharing across borders and health systems.

"Digital health is reshaping the future of healthcare delivery in Africa," the Regional Director noted.

"Through initiatives like telemedicine, mobile health apps, and electronic health records, we are making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and personalized. Our goal is to strengthen public health systems and ensure better health outcomes for all Africans."

He also pointed out that despite the growth of digital health in Africa, several barriers remain, including infrastructure limitations, data privacy concerns, and workforce challenges.

He urged for sustainable financing and collaborative efforts to build capacity, develop regulatory frameworks, and promote active community engagement to overcome these obstacles.

The conference also provided a platform for key development partners, including the government of the Netherlands, to reaffirm their commitment to supporting digital health initiatives in Kenya.

Yvette Van Eechoud, Deputy Director General of Foreign Economic Relations from the Netherlands, praised Kisumu's efforts in advancing digital health and pledged continued support in achieving the county's health goals.

In a significant step towards enhancing health service delivery, Kisumu County launched two key documents during the conference: its Digital Health Roadmap and the Kisumu Data Health Information Exchange and Data Repository Blueprint.

These documents will guide the county's digital health initiatives in the coming years, with the goal of creating a fully integrated and interoperable health system by 2027.

"The integration of digital tools in healthcare allows us to tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of individuals, households, and communities," Nyong'o said. "Our vision is to leverage data-driven approaches to improve health outcomes and ensure that no one is left behind."

Both local and international stakeholders at the conference expressed optimism that Kisumu's digital health journey could serve as a model for other counties in Kenya and the wider East African region.

The focus on using business intelligence and data analytics to manage health services, reduce costs, and improve efficiency was particularly lauded as a key strategy for sustainable UHC implementation.

As the conference concluded, the importance of equitable access to digital healthcare solutions was underscored.

Nyong'o cautioned against the potential for digital solutions to widen inequalities, particularly in areas without adequate internet access.

He called for simple, user-friendly systems that can be easily accessed by all, ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital transformation.

"Digital health must remain inclusive," he said. "We must ensure that even in rural and remote areas, where internet connectivity may be limited, people can still access the health services and financing they need."

The Lake Region Digital Health Conference marked a major milestone in Kisumu County's healthcare journey, setting the stage for further advancements in digital health and regional collaboration to achieve inclusive, resilient healthcare systems across Africa.