In a groundbreaking move to modernize healthcare, Kenya has launched a Biometric Health Identification (BHI) system alongside three other digital innovations aimed at transforming service delivery and improving patient care across the country.
The BHI system enables patients to access healthcare services using biometric data, specifically fingerprints, eliminating the need for physical documents. This digital shift is expected to reduce fraud, minimize administrative burdens, and shorten wait times in health facilities. Initially deployed in Level 4 to Level 6 hospitals, the system is now being rolled out to Level 2 and 3 health facilities. So far, 24 counties have adopted Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS), signaling strong national momentum.
These innovations are part of a wider strategy aligned with Kenya’s Digital Superhighway and Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The goal is to address persistent challenges in the healthcare sector such as manual record-keeping, counterfeit medications, and fraudulent billing practices all of which have undermined efficiency and patient safety for decades.
Alongside the BHI system, three complementary innovations were also introduced:
- Practise360 App: A geo-fenced application designed to reduce misuse of medical pre-authorizations by ensuring care is delivered only in authorized locations.
- National Product Catalogue: A digital platform that ensures only verified and safe medicines enter the supply chain, combating the threat of counterfeit drugs in health facilities.
- Health Information Exchange (HIE): A secure platform that allows seamless sharing of patient data between facilities and counties, ensuring continuity of care regardless of location.
The early implementation phase has shown promising results, particularly at Kenyatta University Teaching, Research and Referral Hospital, where 99% of walk-in patients are now enrolled under the Social Health Authority (SHA), and 29 biometric devices are in active use.
Further enhancements are already planned, including the introduction of a pharmaceutical Track-and-Trace system and tighter digital oversight mechanisms under the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council to eliminate fraudulent health facilities.
These measures are expected to build a more transparent, efficient, and inclusive health system that delivers better outcomes and restores public trust.
