In a major move to transform Kenya’s healthcare sector, Safaricom has announced the formation of a consortium to implement an Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS System).
The consortium, which includes Apeiro Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions Limited, aims to address some of the country’s pressing healthcare challenges through the use of cutting-edge technology.
Investing in Kenya’s Healthcare Future
According to Safaricom CEO Peter Ndengwa, the consortium will invest a staggering Sh104,808,136,478 over the next 10 years to implement, maintain, and support the IHTS System.
The investment will be recovered through monthly instalments starting from February 2025, upon the successful completion of key project milestones.
More Read
This innovative financing structure allows the Ministry of Health (MoH) to deploy a comprehensive digital health solution without incurring any upfront capital or operational expenditures.
Key Components of the IHTS System
The IHTS System will encompass several critical components to revolutionize healthcare in Kenya:
- Health Information Exchange (HIE): The implementation of an HIE will drive interoperability across health systems, unifying patient records nationwide.
- Integrated Hospital Management Information System (IHMIS): A standard-based IHMIS will support the digitization of public health facilities in partnership with the MoH and county governments.
- Health Products and Technology (HPT) Supply Chain Digitization: The system will enable visibility, reduce stockouts, and ensure traceability of pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceutical products to the patient level.
- Health Insurance Digitization: Comprehensive technology will support the digitalization of the Social Health Authority, curbing fraud and improving efficiency, transparency, and accountability in healthcare financing.
- Digital Health Ecosystem Infrastructure: The system will provide a Kenyan-hosted health cloud, endpoint devices for healthcare professionals, secure mobile and fixed networks across public health facilities, and power backup to ensure technology uptime.
- Robust Cybersecurity: The IHTS System will implement stringent measures to ensure patient data remains secure and compliant with applicable laws.
Empowering Healthcare Professionals
Safaricom and its consortium partners will support the Ministry in training public health professionals, project management, and the ground rollout of various technology components across the country.
This investment in human capital will ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of the IHTS System.
Building on Safaricom’s Digital Expertise
The delivery of this project builds on Safaricom’s proven track record of successfully rolling out digital platforms that have positively impacted Kenyans, such as Hustler Fund, the fertilizer e-voucher program, and the Inua Jamii program for the elderly.
The company has also extensively partnered with county governments to digitize revenue collections and recently commenced local device assembly through a consortium, further accelerating Kenyans’ access to digital services.
As Safaricom leads this transformative consortium, it is poised to revolutionize Kenya’s healthcare sector by leveraging technology to ensure every Kenyan has access to quality healthcare.
