Oluga demands accountability, faster rollout of healthcare digitisation programme

Kenya's Principal Secretary for Medical Services, Dr Ouma Oluga, has urged for enhanced accountability and swifter execution of the country's healthcare digitisation programme. In a statement released by the Ministry of Health on October 22, 2026, Oluga emphasized that public funds allocated for technological advancements must result in improved patient care and health facility services.

The remarks were made during a meeting of the programme's Steering Committee at Afya House, where Oluga led discussions with representatives from various agencies, including Safaricom Consortium, the Digital Health Authority (DHA), the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), and other implementing bodies.

The meeting evaluated the programme's current status and identified key areas that required stronger oversight, better collaboration, and timely completion of set milestones. Oluga highlighted that the upcoming phase necessitates heightened accountability from subcontractors to ensure they fulfill their commitments. Additionally, he advocated for greater transparency in project expenditures, asserting the need for improved tracking and visibility of investments to promote transparency and responsible use of public resources.

Regarding the deployment of digital infrastructure, Oluga stressed the importance of accelerating progress while maintaining the systems' dependability. The Ministry listed this priority as "accelerating the rollout of infrastructure, ICT equipment, and digital systems while ensuring their stability and reliability." The ultimate evaluation of the programme will hinge on its impact on service delivery, with the Ministry pinpointing "ensuring investments yield tangible benefits to healthcare facilities, health workers, and the public" as the fourth priority.

Oluga underscored the necessity of closer coordination among the agencies involved to keep the programme on track, stressing the significance of close collaboration among technical teams, project managers, and implementing entities to maintain momentum, bolster oversight, and achieve the agreed-upon milestones.

The Healthcare IT Digitization Programme is a crucial part of the government's Taifa Care initiative, which aims to leverage technology to enhance health service delivery and advance Universal Health Coverage. However, the Ministry's statement did not disclose the programme's total cost, the number of health facilities that have been incorporated so far, or a revised schedule for concluding the rollout.

The programme's eventual success will depend on the timely deployment of digital systems, their reliable operation, and their ability to bring about measurable improvements for healthcare workers and patients.