Slow automation in health hurts access to quality care
A doctor at work: The health sector is conservative in use of IT. PHOTO | FILE
There is a need to tap into Kenya’s growing innovation pool especially in the mobile phone technology towards improving access to quality health.
Cathy Mwangi, the CEO of m-Health Kenya, a local implementing partner for the CDC Foundation in Kenya overseeing and managing mobile technology projects, is rooting for mobile penetration.
“Realistically we can’t say Kenya is ready for e- in the health sector because we need infrastructure, which is expensive. We have penetration of 80 per cent of mobile phones and more than 67 per cent of smart phones,” she said during the launch of her organisation’s strategic plan for 2015-2010.
Hospitals, she said, require electronic medical records such as data and facilities at the most remote areas being able to connect with the Ministry of Health.
“We can do this by use of mobile phone technology. Kenya is one of the most connected nations in Africa, so why not embrace that technology?” she stressed.
mHealth Kenya is now an independent organisation that works with its partners and mobile solution companies to provide quality healthcare.
According to Dr Tom Oluoch, deputy branch chief, SI CDC Kenya, CDC Foundation has incubated mHealth Kenya to independently apply for a grant, saying it has received a five-year funding from CDC to implement m-health.
“In 2010, we engaged with CDC Foundation as the primary recipient of the PEPFAR money with mHealth Kenya being a sub-recipient or the technical implementer of the project,” said Dr Oluoch.
Dr Onesmus Kamau, head of e-health at the Health Ministry, said “mHealth and eHealth are interrelated. mHealth is one of the pillars within the eHealth strategy that we are out to launch in a couple of months.”
Sustainable development
Dr Peter Kimuu, the head of policy development, planning and health financing at the ministry told delegates the sector has been conservative in adopting digital technologies.
“We want to see digitisation in all sectors but somehow the health sector is conservative,” he said.
Next month, a UN meeting in New York will seek to adopt the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals but focusing on achieving healthy lives at all ages.
Among the targets is achieving Universal Health Coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality health care services, and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicine and vaccines.
Adopting e- health, says Dr Kimuu, will reduce medical errors and increase care quality.
Kibet is a freelance journalist.
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