Safaricom PLC has announced a strategic investment in Kenya’s healthcare sector aimed at revolutionizing the country’s health infrastructure through the implementation of an Integrated Healthcare Information Technology System (IHTS). The telecommunications giant, leading a consortium of companies, unveiled plans to inject KES 104.8 billion into the project over the next decade, partnering with the Ministry of Health to boost access to quality care nationwide.
In a statement released on Thursday, Safaricom confirmed that the consortium includes Apeiro Limited and Konvergenz Network Solutions Limited. The IHTS will be implemented in phases, with the consortium recovering its investment through monthly installments, set to begin in 2025, subject to the completion of key milestones.
IHTS is intended to drive the digitization of Kenya’s healthcare infrastructure, supporting the Ministry of Health’s ambitions to ensure all citizens have access to quality healthcare services. The digital health system will reduce the burden of both capital (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx) for the government, eliminating the need for upfront payments.
The IHTS system will be equipped with several key components to modernize the healthcare sector, including the creation of a Health Information Exchange (HIE). This system aims to unify patient records and allow for interoperability among healthcare facilities across the country, ensuring seamless access to patient data regardless of location. By centralizing medical records, healthcare professionals can better manage patient care, reduce treatment delays, and enhance overall service delivery.
Among the key features of the IHTS is the Standard-Based Integrated Hospital Management Information System (IHMIS), designed to improve the digitization of public health facilities. The system will work in partnership with both national and county governments, supporting the digital transition in hospitals and clinics across Kenya.
The initiative also includes technology enhancements to improve the health products and technology (HPT) supply chain, with a focus on pharmaceuticals. Safaricom’s plan will address supply chain inefficiencies such as stockouts and inadequate tracking of medications. Through digitization, hospitals will be able to better track the movement of medical products, enhancing accountability and reducing losses due to poor stock management.
Furthermore, the consortium will implement Digital Health Ecosystem infrastructure, introducing health-focused cloud technology and secure digital endpoints. Healthcare professionals will be equipped with specialized tablets and computers, along with secure mobile and fixed networks across health facilities, aimed at ensuring system uptime and data security.
With the rise of cyber threats in healthcare, Safaricom is incorporating robust cybersecurity measures into the IHTS to ensure the integrity of patient data. These measures will be in line with existing Kenyan laws and global best practices to protect against data breaches, which have become a growing concern in the digital age.
In addition to building a digital framework, Safaricom has committed to training public health professionals across Kenya. This will include providing healthcare workers with the skills needed to manage and operate the newly introduced digital systems. The consortium will also support project management efforts and oversee the implementation of various technological components at health facilities countrywide.
Safaricom has also extended its digital transformation agenda to local county governments, supporting efforts to digitize revenue collection processes. These initiatives, along with the company’s ongoing commitment to local device assembly, are expected to further drive the digital economy and improve access to critical services.
As Kenya continues to push toward digitization in various sectors, Safaricom’s healthcare investment is poised to bring long-term benefits to millions of Kenyans, particularly those in remote areas who have struggled with inadequate access to healthcare.
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