SEYCHELLES—Seychelles has recently entered the League of nations striving to assess its digital readiness by employing the digital health maturity assessment instrument
This initiative has been developed through collaboration between the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health (CWCDH), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
This significant revelation transpired during a recent four-day workshop in Mahé, where senior health officials, digital health professionals, representatives from the Commonwealth, and international partners convened to underscore the importance of conducting such assessments
Among the attendees were Seychelles’ Minister of Health, Hon Peggy Vidot, WHO Technical Country Support Programme on Enhancing Digital Health Maturity and WHO’s Representative to Seychelles, Dr. Rex Mpazanje, and Dr. Janneth Mghamba, Health Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat.
This initiative is unfolding at a time when the role of digital technologies in healthcare delivery is growing increasingly pivotal.
The assessment tool’s purpose is to aid countries in evaluating and expediting their progress toward digitalizing their healthcare systems.
Additionally, it will enable health officials in Seychelles to gauge the country’s utilization of digital technologies in delivering health services and chart a course to bridge any existing gaps, referred to as the “Digital Health Maturity Assessment.”
Hon Peggy Vidot emphasized the critical role of integrating digital health solutions and how Seychelles can leverage digital innovation to bolster its healthcare system.
She stressed the importance of monitoring progress during the digital transition to facilitate development.
Furthermore, assessing digital maturity with evidence-based tools necessitates coordination among the government, healthcare providers, technology partners, and active public participation.
Dr. Rex Mpazanje, on his part, underscored that digital healthcare is the most disruptive emerging technology, reshaping the way healthcare is administered, managed, and experienced by patients.
He noted that in the 71st session of the Regional Committee for Africa in 2021, countries endorsed the WHO’s global digital health strategy for 2020-2025 for implementation in the Region.
Subsequently, digital maturity assessment became the foremost priority, with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s financial support channelled through the World Health Organization.
Following the assessment, the Government of Seychelles identified significant progress in strengthening its digital healthcare systems, including investments in an Electronic Health Information System.
This system successfully integrated digital health platforms into disease surveillance, laboratories, and imaging departments.
Additionally, it established that a collaboration with the Department for Information, Communication, and Technology will safeguard citizen health records and information.
The findings indicated the presence of mechanisms and committees for digital transformation within the government that can enhance digital healthcare in the country.
Dr. Mghamba reaffirmed her commitment to advancing digital transformation in healthcare and anticipated the formulation of strategies, plans, and strengthened investments based on pragmatic targets, in collaboration with WHO and CWCDH, once the assessment is completed.
She also emphasized that the workshop’s conclusions would pinpoint vital initiatives and activities to support the Ministry of Health in its mission.
During group sessions at the workshop, the digitization of Zambia’s healthcare system was discussed, drawing upon the country’s successful participation in the WHO and Commonwealth Digital Health Programme.
This sharing of information on Zambia’s experience provided valuable insights as Seychelles embarks on its own program.
Over 45 participants engaged in in-depth discussions on more than 30 indicators to reach a consensus on the maturity level of each indicator and domain for the Seychelles health system.
Key recommendations, which cut across priorities for the Ministry of Health of Seychelles and its partners, included mapping existing digital solutions, policies, and guidelines into a digital health strategy that aligns with existing policies, relevant standards, and legislation for data storage and security.
Other recommendations encompassed establishing user and patient feedback systems for digital solutions, adopting network infrastructure and training standards, and ensuring that monitoring and evaluation are integral to the deployment process.
The Commonwealth Secretariat will maintain close collaboration with WHO and CWCDH to furnish a summary report and identify areas where the Ministry can receive further support and technical assistance as it advances its digital health initiatives.
These workshop conclusions harmonize with the commitments made by Commonwealth Health Ministers in May 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland, to set the Commonwealth on course for achieving Universal Health Coverage by 2030.
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