Kenya is set to roll out a grant telemedicine program across the country to improve access to healthcare, particularly in remote and marginalized regions.
Already, the government through the Communication Authority has set aside Shs600 million to fund the laying out of the foundation for telemedicine in 20 health facilities.
“This is the direction to go so that no part of the country feels left out in the provision of quality health services and especially to reduce the cost of seeking health care to the patients,” Dr Joseph Sitienei, head of the Health Service Management department, Ministry of Health.
Piloting of the program was conducted at the Kenyatta National and Isiolo Hospitals. The Ministry of Health’s vision is hinged on the realization of “a healthy, productive and globally competitive nation.”
The role of technology is becoming more and more appropriate to address some of the challenges in the healthcare sector.
The government said it is committed to adopting technology to respond to the challenges in the healthcare sector and improve the quality of care offered to Kenyans so as to meet the aspirations of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010.
“The Ministry of Health has taken innovations and technology in the health sector as one step towards improving health care and meeting the needs of Kenyans as we roll out the Universal Health coverage. Complete collection of quality health data is the backbone of planning and evidence-based decision making. This is only possible when we adapt and deploy technology in all service delivery points.” Dr Joseph Sitienei as quoted by Capital Business.
Dr Sitienei further divulged that the Ministry of Health has developed a Digital Health Platform that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of services offered in health facilities while at the same time improving accountability.
The platform will enable real-time collection of patient data and provide platforms for integration with other critical databases. It is on this platform that telemedicine project is being rolled out.
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