Public health ICT to improve with digital solutions
May 4, 2022
- Telehealth, digital records & mobile app in motion
KINGSTON, Jamaica. Wednesday, May 4, 2022: The Ministry of Health and Wellness is modernising healthcare delivery with the implementation of digital records, a mobile health application and telehealth/telementoring solution.
The digital tools will ensure that Jamaicans benefit from care by way of technology, along with an electronic health records system and improved patient outcomes through remote diagnosis.
Health and Wellness Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton made the disclosure during his Sectoral presentation at yesterday’s sitting of Parliament.
“Both telemedicine and mobile health (mHealth) present possibilities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of non-communicable disease management, especially in an outpatient setting. mHealth tools, such as text messages, medication reminders, symptom monitoring and educational resources, facilitate patient-provider communication to increase adherence to treatment regimens,” noted Dr. Tufton.
The mobile health application will allow the users to record their vital signs and provide doctors with information about the management of their chronic conditions. The app features three main components, namely, education; health promotion; and guidance.
Moreover, the health sector’s digital transformation will see the conversion of paper-based records through the Electronic Health Record (eHR) System and allow for an integration of patient information by means of technology. This is expected to further reduce wait time and eliminate the need to repeat diagnostics, analyses and services. The Ministry’s eHR is now at the second stage of the procurement process which should conclude by the end of the second quarter of 2022/2023, with implementation to begin in the third quarter.
At the same time, the telehealth programme, Expanded Community Health Outreach (ECHO) is in motion with the training of healthcare professionals on best practices in chronic care. Over 1,000 medical professionals have so far accessed the virtual training.
“Telehealth or the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients by means of telecommunications technology, can be an effective tool in the management of chronic diseases, and has been demonstrated in other jurisdictions to improve health outcomes (diabetes), empowerment and self-management (diabetes and high-risk dialysis patients),” Dr. Tufton added.
“These tools also can empower targeted groups, such as the elderly or low-income individuals in the management of their own health. This can reduce the burden of unnecessary travel by patients to a care provider,” he said further.
Of note, too, is the upscaling of public health ICT infrastructure through the provision of Managed Network Services to facilitate the operation of both the eHR and the telehealth solutions. The upscaling will include the purchase and installation of computers, servers, local and wide-area networks and network equipment, firewall and cyber security solutions, data-centre support, and maintenance services. More than 100 health facilities will benefit from the J$1.56 billion investment.
The public health sector’s digitisation is being financed by the Inter-American Development Bank.
-END-