Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga has called for stronger accountability, better coordination and faster implementation of Kenya’s Healthcare IT Digitization Programme to ensure public investments translate into improved services for patients.
Dr Oluga made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the programme’s Steering Committee at Afya House, bringing together the Safaricom Consortium, the Digital Health Authority (DHA), the Social Health Authority (SHA), the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) and other implementing agencies.
The meeting reviewed progress under the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Digital Transformation Programme, focusing on implementation milestones, oversight and areas requiring closer coordination.
Dr Oluga outlined four priorities for the next phase of implementation, including strengthening accountability among subcontractors, improving the tracking of project investments and accelerating the rollout of infrastructure, ICT equipment and digital systems.
He also called for greater transparency in the use of public resources and measures to ensure the systems being deployed remain stable and reliable.
The Principal Secretary stressed that digital health investments must deliver tangible benefits to healthcare facilities, health workers and members of the public.
He urged technical teams, project managers and implementing agencies to work closely together to resolve implementation challenges and meet agreed deadlines.
Dr Oluga reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to working with programme partners to strengthen oversight and ensure the investments achieve their intended objectives.
The Healthcare IT Digitization Programme is part of the government’s Taifa Care agenda, which seeks to use digital technology to improve healthcare delivery and advance Universal Health Coverage in Kenya.
