Embracing Information, communication and technology (ICT) in the major operations of Kenya’s leading referral hospital, the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), is the only way of achieving vision 2030 health goal, according to expert sources from the hospital.
The hospital is set to launch its ICT master plan on August 14, 2012, that had earlier prompted Kenya ICT Board to offer Accenture Group a contract to carry out an analysis of strategy, process, ICT implementation and document a list of investments needed.
KNH’s ICT master plan consists of 70 ICT projects that comprises new infrastructure, health and backup office application. An estimated KSh2.3 billion to KSh3 billion has been set aside to facilitate the process.
Speaking to HumanIPO, KNH’s Dr. Paul Khaemba said the move is highly anticipated as ICT is a basic tool for faster services and the hospital is not an exemption.
“There are few staff yet the workload is too much but with online services, it will be easy and efficient in offering services.”
He added that sometimes tracing patients files tend to be difficult, slow and tiresome especially for those who have not been in the hospital for as long as six months.
The scheme targets to offer easy payment in the billing section and patients registration. The manual process has been a challenge, he said.
If the deal goes through, then the revenue collection will improve, efficiency and management change.
As announced earlier by the hospital’s management committee, the first phase of ICT adoption will be ready by September this year. Close to 4 million records in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) are being digitized to offer fast, convenient and simple services. The project is sponsored by Rockefeller foundation at a cost of US$400,000. The digitization process is being handled by local contractors, Technobrain and COSEKE.
Reports from the hospital say the medical records will be on the click of the button to access patients’ details, diagnostic to prescription. At the same time, e-medical records will be used for research purpose in coming up with preventive measures for various illnesses and identify vulnerable diseases in different regions.
Khaemba explained that the administration should start ICT training services to health workers to offer easy adoption.
Vision 2030 advocates for e-health services in providing equitable, reliable and affordable health services and KNH is in line with it.
