Kenya has taken a significant step toward transforming its healthcare system with the launch of Health Facility Digitalization in Garissa County. This initiative marks a major stride in the country’s commitment to achieving a fully digitized health sector and strengthening Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
As part of the rollout, 1,114 digital devices have been delivered to public health facilities across Garissa. These devices are expected to improve service delivery, enhance record-keeping, and ensure better accountability within the health system. Citizens can now securely access their medical records from anywhere in the country through the newly developed Health Information Exchange (HIE). This platform integrates patient and provider data, ensuring continuity of care across various levels of the health system.
Digitization is already yielding tangible results. The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council has closed down 875 non-compliant health facilities, while the system has also eliminated more than 3 million fraudulent records in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). Moving forward, only licensed and accredited facilities will be empanelled under the Social Health Authority (SHA), ensuring that health services are delivered through credible and regulated institutions.
The government is implementing a Comprehensive Integrated Health Information System aimed at digitizing patient files, prescriptions, and facility-level transactions. This will streamline service delivery, reduce fraud, and improve transparency across the healthcare network. By integrating technology at every level, the system will allow better tracking of health services, data-driven policy decisions, and more efficient resource allocation.
During a community event at the conclusion of a 5-day Free Medical Camp, residents were encouraged to register under the SHA and adopt Taifa Care—a flagship health reform initiative designed to accelerate progress toward UHC. The focus remains on making quality healthcare accessible, especially to underserved populations.
In Garissa alone, 367 health workers have already received training on the new digital systems. The goal is to train 1,700 healthcare personnel in the county, ensuring they are equipped to manage and utilize digital tools effectively. On a national scale, over 74,000 digital devices will be deployed across public health facilities to bridge the gap between public and private sector standards.
The broader vision includes the development of a Digital Health Superhighway, enabling individuals and families to register, access care, and monitor health services directly from their mobile devices. This innovation is poised to expand access, particularly for youth and remote communities, ensuring no one is left behind in Kenya’s healthcare transformation journey.
