Enhancing Quality Healthcare: Future of Digital First Africa

CSM Tech

The healthcare landscape in Africa is ready for positive transformation. Africa stands at the fore of global demographic change, poised for rapid growth as its population is projected to reach 26% of the world’s total by 2050, up from 18% today. With 56% of Africans improving medical outcomes offers the opportunity to leapfrog challenges in existence for decades. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of digitalization in supporting access to essential healthcare services in the most remote areas. With the largest disease burden globally and the most limited healthcare resources, Africa has an opportunity to use the lessons learned during the pandemic to expand its use of digital health tools.

By expanding the use of digital health tools, African health systems could realize up to 15% efficiency gains by 2030 and reinvest the savings to improve access and outcomes. Countries are forging ahead in the investment funds for Africa's Digital Health Programs: World Bank endorses $450 million for Morocco's healthcare reforms, Egypt's healthcare vision incorporates a $7 billion blueprint for new hospitals, and Nigeria & Kenya unveil plans worth billions for medical infrastructure enhancements.

Need for Digital Health Tools:

Although digital health in most African regions is still in its infancy, advances in smartphone connectivity, data management policies, and data infrastructure are starting to change the ways health systems work in Africa. But there is rapid expansion in mobile financing which shows that leapfrogging is possible. Digital health tools could play an important role in boosting health system performance in Africa, but they could also help to

Improve access to essential health services
Improved access to patient data
Strengthen health systems
Deliver better quality care

Using Transformative Technologies:

The pinnacle of innovation showcasing groundbreaking creations and integrations from the world's leading healthcare and technology brands. A diverse, transformative dive into:

Virtual Interactions

Live audio or video consultations
Remote monitoring
E-triage

Paperless Data Storage

AI virtual assistant
EHR (Electronic Health Records)
E-prescribing
Staff communication software

Patient Self-care Services

Digital diagnostics
Patient support networks
Disease-prevention tools
VR for pain management
CDM (Clinical Data Management)

Patient Self-service

E-Booking

Decision Intelligence systems

Analytics for payers
Clinical-decision support
Genetic testing and analysis
Patient flow management
Performance dashboards

Workflow Automation

BCMA (Bar Code Medication Administration)
E-referral
Nurse mobile connectivity
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)
Vital parameter tracking
Hospital logistics robotics

Going Forward in Transforming Healthcare:

The African health system must take advantage of digital health to fill resource and capacity gaps. Mobile – or telemedicine solutions must remain affordable and require funding models that keep costs down. In addition, building and funding a healthcare IT infrastructure will be a priority that will serve as the foundation in health information exchange, interoperability, and as a result, an acceleration lever in the quest towards universal healthcare.

Africa primarily emphasizes healthcare focused on addressing infectious diseases. However, there is a steady continental shift from acute diseases to chronic conditions. 24 As cardiovascular diseases, neonatal conditions, and musculoskeletal disorders steadily increase in their contribution to the overall disease burden, this will warrant proactive monitoring to meet future demands.

CSM Tech

CSM’s Expertise in Health-Tech Innovations:

Hospital Management System: The system developed for Al-Amal Hospital, Sudan plays a vital role in Hospital operations. HMS is designed to improve the quality and management of clinical care and healthcare management in the areas of clinical process analysis and activity-based costing.

Drug Distribution & Supply Chain Management System: This system implemented for Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL) automates the process of procurement, distribution & quality control of medicines and ensures access to essential medicine at the right time to the right people.

Health Schemes Monitoring System: An end-to-end solution developed for the Himachal & Odisha Governments, which normalizes, authenticates, and validates arrays of data to provide error-free records of beneficiaries and empaneled hospitals besides monitoring the treatment, transaction, and claims through real-time monitoring.

Epidemic Control & Response System: A single unified portal created for the Odisha Government to support various government interventions during COVID-19 at the national and regional levels, starting from sample testing & collection till the issue of emergency vehicle passes, and finance disbursement support to vulnerable patients.

AUTHOR:

Bhagyashree Nanda

Consultant-Marketing Communication