Lakeside County paves way for paperless healthcare

By Peter Ochieng

The County government of Kisumu is moving towards a paperless healthcare system.

Governor Anyang' Nyong'o's administration is implementing the Kenya Electronic Medical Records (EMR Version 3.X) system, geared towards a paperless system.

Data from the County indicate that currently, only 132 out of 403 health institutions in Kisumu County are using the older version of EMR, and only 12 of these have fully transitioned to the new 3.X version.

According to Festus Ondolla, a health monitoring and evaluation officer, the system's ability is in ensuring seamless information exchange between departments.

He emphasized the importance of addressing infrastructure compatibility, so as to enable effective communication across facilities.

"The Kenya EMR 3.X offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies patient registration and management," said Ondolla.

"It enables a continuous flow of care, from initial registration to final discharge."

The system's benefits he said, extend beyond efficiency and accuracy.

"It also enhances patient care by providing comprehensive medical histories, facilitating adherence to treatment plans, and improving patient safety," he added.

In addition, the system supports better health outcomes through disease surveillance, research, and improved resource allocation.

The officer said Kisumu County is aligning to digital health adoption, as required by the National Digital Act.

The Kenya EMR 3.X system promises to revolutionize healthcare delivery by streamlining workflows, improving data accuracy, and enhancing patient care.