Kisumu County has rolled out digital tablets to Community Health Assistants (CHAs) in a move aimed at improving primary healthcare service delivery, enhancing quality health data and strengthening community-based health services.
Speaking during the launch, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Dr. Gregory Ganda described the initiative as a major milestone in the county’s efforts to modernize healthcare through digital technology.
“Digital health is not just about having computers in hospitals. It is about getting the right information to the right person at the right time,” Dr. Ganda said.
He noted that the tablets will improve supportive supervision, enhance the quality of health data collected at the community level, strengthen patient referrals and enable faster, evidence-based decision-making by health workers.
The devices will also support the integration of mental health services into primary healthcare by facilitating early detection of mental health conditions, improving referrals and follow-up, and generating reliable data to guide planning and investment in mental health programmes.
“Quality data is the backbone of responsive, people-centred healthcare,” Dr. Ganda said.
Kisumu County has been at the forefront of digital health innovations through the implementation of the electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS) and the establishment of integrated Primary Care Networks.
The eCHIS is the national community health digitisation platform that is interoperable with the Kenya Health Information System and enables Community Health Promoters (CHPs) and Community Health Assistants to capture and report routine health service data electronically.
The system is designed to strengthen community health data management at community health units, which form the foundation of Kenya’s primary healthcare system and are linked to health facilities.
Dr. Ganda said the introduction of digital tablets marks another step towards building a smarter, more efficient and connected health system capable of responding to the healthcare needs of residents.
He reaffirmed the county government’s commitment to ensuring that quality healthcare begins at the household level, including for people living with mental health conditions.
“Together, we are building a future where quality healthcare begins at the household, no one is left behind, and every decision is driven by timely, reliable data,” he said.
By Robert Ojwang’
