Digital Health Agency Pushes Interoperability Across Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya - September 15 - The Digital Health Agency (DHA) is spearheading efforts to connect health information systems nationwide, facilitating seamless patient record sharing between healthcare facilities. This initiative aims to eliminate the necessity for patients to transport physical medical files when seeking treatment or referrals.

Dr. Jean Kyula, Chairperson of the Kenya Healthcare Federation's Digital Health Committee, explained that the DHA was established under the Digital Health Act to oversee and bolster digital health systems. Kyula emphasized that the agency's primary focus lies in evaluating existing systems, supporting their maintenance, and coordinating their integration.

Smart Applications International Limited Kenya, led by CEO Isaiah Mosiori, stressed the importance of uniform standards to enable the transfer of health records between facilities. Without such a platform or integration, patients may need to carry extensive paper records to validate their medical history, she noted. Kyula elaborated that the Health Information Exchange will bridge the gap by connecting disparate systems and enabling patient records to travel with individuals.

Dubbing the comprehensive framework the "Kenya Digital Health Superhighway," Kyula mentioned that historical records, including paper files, will undergo migration to electronic systems. However, she acknowledged that certain data may be lost during this transition. Kyula assured that patients would not face additional charges due to digital health systems and highlighted the significance of certification in safeguarding patient information.

She cautioned against exacerbating the digital divide, stating, "We have to ensure that as we envision high-tech solutions, we remain mindful of low-tech alternatives." Kyula suggested that USSD, SMS, automated calls, and community health workers could serve as vital tools to uphold access for individuals who lack access to smartphone-based services.