Transform Health Kenya Coalition Partner, Kenya Health Sector Alliance (KeHIA), convened a private sector roundtable on February 13th, 2023, in Nairobi Kenya, focused on the advancement of digital healthcare in the country. Participants included prominent healthcare stakeholders including the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF), PharmAccess, Karen Hospital, Strathmore University Ilab, HELINA, Savannah Informatics, BOYN8, Ilara Health, Jacaranda, Living Goods, AAR Insurance, Mtiba, just to mention a few. The session set ambitious objectives to steer the healthcare sector towards a digitally advanced future.
KELIN, serving as the Transform Health Kenya Coalition Coordinator, delivered a presentation dissecting the legislative landscape surrounding digital health in Kenya. The presentation focused on the analysis of the implications of the Digital Health Act 2023 and recent developments impacting the private sector. KELIN shed light on crucial aspects shaping the future of healthcare in Kenya with focus on the soon to be formed Digital Health Agency under the legislation. The agency is set to develop, operationalize and maintain a Comprehensive Integrated Health Information System to manage the core digital health systems and the infrastructure relevant for seamless health information exchange.
KHF underscored the significance of government interventions outlined in the legislation, highlighting them as potential cost points for health service providers from a business standpoint. However, KHF urged stakeholders to view these interventions through the lens of long-term benefits for beneficiaries, calling on the private sector to align their strategies with the goal of ensuring all Kenyans access healthcare services at cost-effective rates.
A resounding issue raised during the dialogue centred on the challenges associated with price regulation of certain health care services and commodities, by the government, which places significant cost pressure on private sector entities. Participants emphasized the imperative of developing a sustainable business model to actualize Universal Health Coverage (UHC) effectively.
Of significant interest to participants was the impending establishment of the Digital Health Agency tasked with creating the Comprehensive Integrated Digital Health Information System, often referred to as the “Digital superhighway.” This initiative will necessitate the integration of private healthcare providers’ information systems into the national infrastructure. Concerns were voiced, however, regarding the utilization of different systems used by various actors. This led to a consensus that standardization and codes for service delivery will be imperative. Participants concluded that the private sector ought to actively engage in the ongoing process of developing these standards in collaboration with the government.
This collaborative effort between KeHIA Transform Health Kenya, and KHF underscores a shared commitment to leverage digital health technologies for the realization of UHC by 2030. Through strategic partnerships and multi-sectoral engagement, the stage is set for transformative change, innovation, and the establishment of a sustainable and digitally advanced healthcare system for all Kenyans.
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For more information, please contact.
Pauline Omoto
Program Associate
Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV & AIDS (KELIN)
Kuwinda Lane, Karen C, off Langáta Road
Email: paulineomoto@gmail.com
