DHA Driving eHealth Project to Transform Patient Data Management

On August 16, the government officially approved the establishment of a new organization, the Digital Health Agency (DHA), tasked with overseeing the eHealth project and other digital initiatives within the Ministry of Health and Well-being.

This state-owned entity aiming to ensure the successful implementation of digitizing patient records.

The eHealth project, which commenced in January, is seeking to replace the current paper-based patient record system, managing approximately five million patient files and nine million consultation cards.

The goal is to eliminate the reliance on physical documents in healthcare settings.

Efforts to digitize patient data in Mauritius have been underway for nearly two decades.

Initial initiatives were launched by Pradeep Jeeha, the Minister of New Technologies, from 2000 to 2005.

Since then, various ministers and governments have attempted to advance the cause, but significant challenges have prevented the full realization of eHealth until now.

With the creation of the Digital Health Agency, the government hopes to effectively facilitate this major digital transformation.

The DHA will be responsible for implementing the eHealth system, providing 24/7 technical support to medical and paramedical staff.

Additionally, it will form multidisciplinary expert teams dedicated to the development and maintenance of the system.

The eHealth initiative is a substantial investment, with an estimated budget of Rs 600 million. This project will unfold in two phases.

The first phase, estimated to cost Rs 200 million, aims to produce tangible results at the Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital within the coming weeks.

Following this initial phase, the project is expected to be gradually extended to regional hospitals, health centers, community clinics, and mediclinics within three months.

The strategic objectives of the DHA extend beyond simple patient record management. It will enable real-time data analysis, provide robust strategic guidance, and implement strict quality assurance processes.

Furthermore, the agency aims to promote continual innovation through research and pilot projects, embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The ambition for this project is substantial. If executed effectively, the impacts are expected to be significant, enhancing administrative efficiency and improving the overall quality of healthcare services available to the Mauritian population.

This initiative is supported by the United Nations Development Programme, which is playing a crucial role in its implementation.

Source: Defi Media