Safaricom, Kenya’s leading telecommunications provider, is spearheading a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing the country’s healthcare sector through digitization. In collaboration with its consortium partners, Apeiro Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions Limited, Safaricom is set to implement the Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS System). This landmark investment aims to address the pressing healthcare challenges in Kenya by leveraging technology to improve access, efficiency, and quality of medical services.
According to Safaricom’s CEO, Peter Ndegwa, this initiative aligns with the company’s commitment to utilizing technology to transform lives. “Our goal is to provide a robust digital solution to enhance healthcare access across the country,” Ndegwa remarked. The system will assist the Ministry of Health (MoH) in its mission to ensure that every Kenyan has access to quality healthcare, ultimately advancing the country’s health sector.
A Groundbreaking Investment
Safaricom’s consortium plans to invest a total of KSh 104.8 billion over a ten-year period. This funding will go towards the implementation, maintenance, and support of the IHTS System. The company will recover the investment through monthly installments beginning in February 2025, following the successful implementation of key project milestones. This structure allows the Ministry of Health to deploy a cutting-edge digital healthcare solution without incurring any upfront capital or operational expenditure (CapEx or OpEx).
Peter Ndegwa emphasized the long-term nature of the investment: “This project structure allows MoH to deploy a comprehensive digital health solution without incurring any upfront capital expenditure or operational expenditure.”
Key Components of the IHTS System
The IHTS System represents a multifaceted approach to healthcare digitization, offering various components to streamline healthcare operations, improve service delivery, and create a unified health ecosystem. One of the primary features of the system is the Health Information Exchange (HIE), which is designed to promote interoperability across health systems nationwide. This will enable the unification of patient records across healthcare facilities, improving the efficiency and continuity of care.
Additionally, the system will facilitate the development and deployment of a Standards-Based Integrated Hospital Management Information System (IHMIS). This technology will help digitize public health facilities in collaboration with both the Ministry of Health and county governments. The digitization of public health systems will lead to better healthcare outcomes and enhanced management capabilities across the sector.
Moreover, the IHTS System will provide much-needed transparency in the health products and technology (HPT) supply chain. By digitizing the HPT supply chain, the system will track the movement of pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical products, reducing stockouts and ensuring traceability of medicines to the patient level. This will enhance patient safety and improve the overall management of healthcare resources.
Digitizing Healthcare Financing and Ecosystems
Another vital component of the IHTS is its role in supporting health insurance digitization. By providing comprehensive technological solutions, the system will enable the digitalization of Kenya’s Social Health Authority. This is expected to significantly reduce instances of fraud while increasing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in healthcare financing.
The project also aims to establish a solid infrastructure for Kenya’s digital health ecosystem. This will include a locally hosted health cloud, specially designed endpoint devices such as tablets and computers for healthcare professionals, and a secure mobile and fixed network infrastructure across public health facilities. Power backup systems will also be installed in healthcare facilities to ensure continuous uptime for the technology in place.
Cybersecurity and Capacity Building
Data security is paramount, and Safaricom plans to incorporate robust cybersecurity measures to protect patient data and ensure compliance with Kenyan laws. In addition, the company and its consortium partners will play a critical role in training public health professionals and managing various technology components as they are rolled out nationwide.
A Track Record of Successful Digital Platforms
Safaricom’s role in transforming healthcare builds on its proven ability to deliver impactful digital platforms. The company has successfully implemented projects like the Hustler Fund, the fertilizer e-voucher program, and the Inua Jamii social support initiative. These initiatives demonstrate Safaricom’s ability to innovate and roll out large-scale digital platforms that have had a positive impact on the lives of millions of Kenyans.
Ndegwa also noted that Safaricom has partnered with several county governments to digitize revenue collection, while also recently embarking on a local device assembly initiative. This device assembly will play a key role in increasing Kenyans’ access to digital services, including those related to healthcare.
Conclusion
Safaricom’s investment in the IHTS System signals a bold step toward the digitization of Kenya’s healthcare system. The ten-year initiative is expected to improve healthcare delivery, enhance transparency in healthcare financing, and provide a unified digital infrastructure that will transform the country’s health sector. As Kenya continues to advance its technological capabilities, the partnership between Safaricom and the Ministry of Health is set to be a game-changer for the future of healthcare in the nation.
