Kilifi County modernises healthcare with new electronic medical records system
The EMR system’s success in Kilifi highlights its potential for nationwide adoption, promising to revolutionise Kenya’s healthcare sector through digital innovation.
Kilifi County is taking a major step towards modernising its healthcare services through the introduction of an electronic medical records (EMR) system.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro announced the initiative as part of efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and streamline patient management in the region.
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The EMR system allows medical professionals to store and access patient records online, enabling seamless sharing of treatment histories among healthcare providers.
The platform tracks vital patient information, including medical history, diagnoses, treatments, and prescribed medications.
Mung’aro noted that the decision to digitise the healthcare system was informed by challenges patients faced under the traditional manual process. Many were required to purchase notebooks for doctors’ consultations, which posed difficulties for those travelling long distances, such as from Ganze.
“We have introduced the EMR system to address persistent challenges faced by patients, such as arriving at hospitals without the necessary notebooks for consultations,” Mung’aro said during an interview with NTV.
Improve healthcare efficiency
The governor revealed plans to expand the system to include nurses, ensuring its reach extends to even the most remote parts of Kilifi County. He added that half of the county has already embraced the system, which has significantly improved healthcare efficiency.
“In the near future, nurses will no longer need to rely on lengthy paper files. Each nurse will have a tablet containing all the necessary information about a patient’s history,” he said.
The digital system has also contributed to a substantial increase in healthcare revenue, with the county’s monthly earnings rising from Sh1 million to Sh7 million since its implementation.
“The system will help us address issues such as theft of medicine in public hospitals. We are already witnessing positive transformations,” Mung’aro added.
The initiative marks a critical step in Kilifi County’s commitment to healthcare reform.
Governor Mung’aro, who last year waived ambulance medical charges for residents, continues to prioritise accessible and efficient healthcare services for the county's population.
The EMR system’s success in Kilifi highlights its potential for nationwide adoption, promising to revolutionise Kenya’s healthcare sector through digital innovation.
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