Stakeholders gather to discuss Kenya Digital Health Act 2023 and its role in UHC

It served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and identify opportunities for collaboration in implementing the Act. It also highlighted the collective commitment to leveraging digital health to achieve universal health coverage and improve the overall health and well-being of the Kenyan population.

The meeting brought together key industry leaders and professionals in the health sector to discuss the Role of the Kenya Digital Health Act 2023 in transitioning the country towards inclusive universal health coverage.

It featured discussions led by prominent speakers including Mr. Silas Simatwo, Chairperson of the Kenya Digital Health Agency, Dr. Jacqueline Kitulu, Board Member at PharmAccess, Dr. Joyce Wamicwe, acting Head of Digital Health & Informatics at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ryan Nyotu, Head of the Digital Health Division at the Ministry of Health, and Dr. Steven Wanyee, Founder & Secretary General of the Kenya Health Informatics Association (KeHIA).

They explored the significant role public-private partnerships play in transforming Kenya's health system and deliberated on the advancements and future prospects of digital health in Kenya. 

Mr Silas Simatwo, Chair of the Digital Health Agency, shared his vision "adoption and implementation of digital transformation in the sector” as is a key enabler to this audacious goal. It is through optimization of digital health that barriers of access to care will be reduced, efficiency in delivery and management of health services increased, and individuals empowered to take charge of their health” 

Dr. Joyce Wamicwe, Acting Head Digital Health & Informatics Ministry of Health shared a breakdown of the Digital Health Act 2023, focusing on the government’s plans to integrate digital health initiatives into the national health strategy.

“Health data is only useful if it is analysed, if there are insights that are obtained. We need to capacity build everyone along the value chain to be able to utilise whatever type of health data that they are bringing on board for purposes of delivery of services and quality,” she stated.

Dr Timothy Olweny, Chair of the Digital Health Authority (DHA) highlighted their role in advancing digital health.

“We are here as Social Health Authority to discuss how digital health links into our mandate as SHA and it was mainly in the space of anything that enhances access to universal health coverage, therefore using technology to be able for example to access telemedicine and therefore extend the reach of our specialists to be able to help patients access care.

"Also, how electronic health records help us in terms of patient management and also the aspect of quality where artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, clinical decision support systems all augment the quality of service delivered.”

Dr Wasunna Owino, Country Director, PharmAccess Kenya said, “The forum is critical in driving digital health innovations, like coming up with solutions. Also supporting the government in terms of cascading solutions that either the private or public sector has already come up with. We also found out that through the private sector we can provide patient centric services which is really very critical at this particular stage.”