Health facilities in Rukwa region to use ICT system

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The use of electronic Health Management Information System (HMIS) aims to improve the ability to collect, store and analyze accurate health data. Implementation of HMIS also aims to increase data accuracy and effectiveness of intervention, increase accountability, and improve tracking of health trends in the district. Information on patient registrations, diagnoses, treatments, lab tests, billing and pharmacy records are being digitalized.

The Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC) through AfyaMtandao Project in collaboration with NPK Technologies undertakes initiatives to improve healthcare through ICT intervention. It has conducted ICT need assessment to deploy AfyaPro system in 6 health facilities owned by Catholic Diocese of Sumbawanga in Rukwa region.

The facilities assessed include; Dr. Atiman Memorial Hospital, Namanyere District Designated Hospital, St. Bakhita Health Institute, Katandala, Holy Family (Tunduma) and St. Theresa Health Centre. Findings indicates that, most processes at the facilities are manual and data is collected and documented using OPD file and counter book for registration, duplication of activities and processes makes work tedious and also increases workload as to each point same details are taken while it could have been done only once as well as shared across the departments which saves a lot of time.

Road map for ICT intervention, the owner of the facilities plans to undertake;

• Computer basic training to all hospitals staffs with no computer basics
• Design and implement Local Area network to cover all selected points from registration and billing, pharmacy, doctors rooms, laboratory, and the new building
• Procurement of the computers to be placed in all points where system will be implemented, can either be normal desktops or N-computing units
• Prepare base line for each department for comparison in future after system implementation
• Training on how to use AfyaPro system to all users
• Customization of systems reports for management use
• Change Management and Streamlining organizational procedures on ICT use
• Customization of the system (AfyaPro) to meet  requirements
• System implementation
• ICT and electricity management, maintenance and data security policies

 

ICT application (AfyaPro system) is used to more than 10 health facilities in Lake Zone, it has managed and improved healthcare provision in that area.