GOVERNMENT EMBARKS ON ICT CAPACITY BUILDING FOR HEALTH WORKERS

Some of the participants during the training at Muni University. Photo by Daniel Amule.

By Daniel Amule

Arua city

The government has embarked on digitizing its services to enhance efficiency and accessibility, aiming to improve service delivery.

As part of this initiative the ministry of health has implemented the electronic medical records EMR system in several hospitals to facilitate digital service delivery.

Uptake and use of such electronic system is dependent on having an ICT skilled workforce that can ably utilize these systems.

To improve the adoption and effective usage of the EMR system, the ministry of ICT and National Guidance has organized a capacity building program for clinicians, administrators, and data managers in the necessary computer skills to enable then utilize the system for the health facilities in Arua district.

According to Ms. Kisembo Rhitah the team leader from ministry of ICT and National Guidance, the objective of this exercise is to the equip officers with the necessary skills to ably utilize the Electronic Medical Records as they undertake their respective duties. “The government is introducing the systems Health Management Information system HMIS to ease the operation of health activities within the districts. Arua Regional Referral Hospital is already implementing the electronic Medical records system which has been received well by the health workers and the patients,” Ms. Kisembo said.

Arua District Information Technology Officer Acidri Peter who offers support at all the units in Arua district appreciates ministry of ICT and national Guidance for the first stage that involves introducing the health workers to the electronic medical records system. “The main reason for the roll out of the electronic Medicals Records EMR system is to have all Health information of patients is in digitized form. If a patient went to a health facility the data is captured, medical history is taken, fed and stored online but within a system that can be accessed from any health facility across the country in case the patient has referrals, and easy tracking of a patient’s medical health history. Therefore IT is important to have a very skilled and trained health workforce to ably manage the systems in place,” Acidri revealed.

The aspects of equipping the health facilities with computers and internet for implementation of the Electronic Medical Records will be in the next phase with hands on training for the health workers at their various facilities in Arua District according to Arua District IT officer Acidri.

Eyotaru Peace Oliver, a Medical Officer at Bondo Health Centre IV is optimistic that the introduction of Electronic Medical Systems will improve health service delivery. However she appeals that this capacity building for government health workers should also be rolled out to those in the private health facilities.

According to Vurra Health Centre III Health Information Assistant Anguzu Johnstone, Electronic Medical Records will ensure continuity of patient care in the health facilities.

He emphasizes on the need for all health workers to acquaint themselves with the Electronic Medical Records system since there are many care points like In and Out Patient, ART, Records, Maternity Departments among others that will benefit from it.

The two day training took place at Muni university Business Incubation center for 25 participations from various health facilities in Arua district.