Data for Good: USAWA Champions use of Health Tech to Improve Lives in Kenya
How can the youth be engaged as champions for change in the health Sector?
This was the focus during the “IT Innovations for Health Forum” by AMWIK under the USAID USAWA program.” The thought-provoking gathering brought together a diverse group of media professionals, health workers, university students, and panelists to explore the potential of health technology (Health Tech) to revolutionize healthcare systems in Kenya.
The event served as a platform to showcase innovative solutions, address challenges, and spark discussions on how to harness the power of Health Tech for the betterment of public health. Among the prominent themes were artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology, which offer promising avenues for data storage, retrieval, and shared healthcare systems.
It was an interesting experience to witness a student from St. Paul’s University pitch; the use of blockchain technology to integrate health care systems across Kenya to ensure shared data across hospitals. The use of such technology aims to store patient data making timely retrieval and decision making as compared to use of hard copy record keeping. The Centralized system project will ensure continuity of diagnosis from one hospital to another without incurring additional costs for repeated tests.
The current era happens to be about the “hype”, innovations and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various aspects of life not limited to health. Dr.Hope Sifa Simiyu, a medical consultant and Ian Ogonji a Science-Data Analyst went on to advise on the use of AI. These models often use large volumes of data, with Africa having untapped and an overload of collected data, and some deemed redundant. It is imperative for young tech scholars to work in conjunction with the government and health professionals and be aggressively involved in the use of home-based data to create AI models that offer solutions tailored to the Kenyan public. The audience was also advised on access to health information only from verified sites and individuals. This calls for user responsibility over social media sites to censor the health information one consumes.
Among the recommendations to better health care systems offered by George Gibore, the Secretary General of Kenya Union of Clinical Officers (KUCO) was to hold the government accountable on health services delivered to the public. He further commended the digitization efforts of health systems in Murang’a by the County Governor, Dr. Irungu Kang’ata which has saved billions of taxpayers’ money to waste through corruption. The governor’s initiatives towards health care serve as a much-needed necessity for all other counties to emulate.
However, it is important for citizens to understand legislation that is in relation to matters of health; the shift from NHIF to SHIF. How much of the county budget is allocated to health services? With clear understanding of laws, citizens have a strong standing point for holding their leaders accountable and demanding for the services worth the county budget. Young people are also tasked to put their skills to use in solving community problems; education systems to be a means of creating problem solvers for various sectors. This in turn calls for funding and mentoring of student startup founders at university level.
Instilling ethical values in children and utilizing Kiswahili, a unifying language, to make health information accessible to all Kenyans were also identified as vital long-term goals.
The event showcased the immense potential of Health Tech to transform healthcare in Kenya and also acknowledged the challenges of adoption and the need for collaboration between various stakeholders to ensure equitable access and responsible implementation. By addressing these challenges and harnessing the power of innovation, we can create a healthier and more equitable future for all Kenyans.
By Rebecca Nampiima, Project Assistant- AMWIK
