A new research project to strengthen health service provision in Kenya using mobile technology, has been inaugurated at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The project aims to link patients to healthcare providers and public health institutions, in support of the Kenya National eHealth Policy (2016-2030) implementation.
eHealth has long been an aspiration of the Kenyan government under the universal health coverage programme, in which adoption and use of ICT is considered central to attainment of highest health standards.
Yet, realization of the aspiration has been dogged by many challenges, key among them, is weak medical and health information management systems and difficulty in handling sensitive patient information.
Under the project, volunteer patients will undertake home tests on malaria or ovulation and share the results through a mobile application (App), with medical doctors in linked facilities.
The idea is to allow patients to receive medical diagnosis without having to travel; in a system that ensures integrity and quality of patient data. The doctors are then able to interpret the test results and advise the patients accordingly.
The Principal, College of Health Sciences at JKUAT, Dr. Reuben Thuo noted that eHealth programs, which encompass digital technologies like electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, mobile health apps and data analytics, offer transformative advantages in healthcare delivery leading to improved patient outcomes, and operational efficiencies.
The project which was launched during the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) last month in Yokohama, Japan, is funded by the African Development Bank, and will run for the next three years.
The initiative to be spearheaded by the Digital Health Applied Research Centre at JKUAT, will be piloted in collaboration with three hospitals namely; Murang’a County Referral Hospital, Mama Lucy Hospital and Machakos Referral Hospital.
During the project’s lifetime, the researchers who are involved will also propose policy recommendations based on the arising data insights as well as build capacity of health workers in collaborating hospitals on effective use of new technologies in health service delivery. The team will also pilot the use of ‘MyChart’ software, a dedicated portal that allows patients to manage health information from their phones or computers.
The project is a culmination of partnership deal between JKUAT and the Japan based Association of African Economy & Development (AFRECO), signed in 2019. Two other Japanese companies namely G Cube Co. Ltd., and Qunie Corporation, will also be involved in the pilot study with the former providing testing kits while the latter developing business models for the project that could be replicated elsewhere in Kenya.
AFRECO Secretary-General, Kyoko Hasegawa, said the initiative aims at strengthening JKUAT capacity as health research centre; establishing mechanisms to foster constant health awareness among the population; and proposing policies and funding strategies to sustain these efforts. “We envision this project as a catalyst for JKUAT to evolve into a healthcare information centre and continue developing beyond that,” Ms. Hasegawa added.