Safaricom has announced investing Kes 104.8 billion in Kenya’s healthcare sector to transform the nation’s health system through technology.
Safaricom says the initiative involves investing over ten years in developing and implementing an Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS).
The consortium, which includes Apeiro Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions Limited, will facilitate the deployment of the IHTS without imposing upfront costs on the government.
Further, the telecommunication company says the Ministry will recover the investment through monthly payments starting in February 2025, contingent upon meeting project milestones.
According to Safaricom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Ndegwa, the IHTS's key components include implementing a Health Information Exchange (HIE) to unify patient records and enhance interoperability across health facilities.
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Similarly, he said it will also support the digitization of public health facilities through an Integrated Hospital Management Information System (IHMIS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and county governments.
Additionally, the initiative will digitize the supply chain for health products, enabling better tracking of pharmaceuticals and reducing stockouts.
The project will introduce digital health insurance solutions to improve efficiency and transparency in healthcare financing.
“We see technology as a tool for empowerment and transformation. This initiative represents a significant step in advancing our ambitions as a purpose-led technology company,” Ndegwa said.
A robust digital health infrastructure, including a Kenyan-hosted health cloud, specialized devices for healthcare professionals, and reliable power sources to ensure technology, will be established.
The telco says the initiative builds on Safaricom’s previous successes in digitizing services, such as the Hustler Fund and the Inua Jamii program, demonstrating its commitment to using technology for societal transformation.
