As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) celebrates its Manifesto Week from November 15th to December 5th, 2024, the party’s manifesto outlines plans to reform Uganda’s healthcare system using Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
The NRM manifesto is built on a vision for transforming Uganda into a modern and prosperous nation within this framework, acknowledging health as a vital section.
The manifesto recognizes the immense potential of ICT in enhancing healthcare delivery, from improving information access to streamlining operations and decision-making.
By implementing the e-Health Policy and Strategy, the party manifesto aims to guide the strategic use of ICT in modernizing the health sector.
However, a key component of this strategy is the establishment and scaling up of an Electronic National Electronic Medical Record System (EMRS) across all public and private hospitals, Health Center IVs (HCIVs), and high-volume Health Center IIIs (HCIIIs) with internet access.
This system will enable seamless access to patient information, improving care coordination and reducing medical errors.
This will combat issues like drug theft, absenteeism, and extortion, the government is rolling out the Integrated Hospital Information Management System (IHIMS), developed by a Ugandan team led by Dr. Silver Kiyimba.
It is believed that by doing that it will stop drug theft, absenteeism and extortion in all government health facilities
This system has already been successfully implemented in hospitals like Naguru, Mbarara, Moroto, Mbale, and Mityana, demonstrating its effectiveness in addressing these challenges.
The Integrated Hospital Information Management System (IHIMS) offers several benefits which include;
- Paperless Patient Care which will enable digitizing patient records, the system will save the government billions of shillings spent on stationery annually.
- Additionally, it will provide mobile access to patient information for healthcare providers across the system.
- It will also enable Medical Supplies management where the system will track medical supplies from the National Medical Stores (NMS) to the patient, reducing leakages and theft.
- It will enhance accountability by monitoring staff attendance, patient interactions, and services rendered, the system will improve accountability and service quality.
Through these ICT initiatives, the NRM is committed to delivering a more efficient, transparent, and patient-centered healthcare system for all Ugandans.
