In a move towards modernizing healthcare services, the Regional Assembly of the South West Region has unveiled a cutting-edge mobile application aimed at digitizing hospital services.
The app, named “SW-Health App,” is set to transform the traditional landscape of medical record-keeping in the region.
The primary objective of the SW-Health App is to eliminate the need for patients to carry physical hospital books. This shift towards digital medical records promises not only convenience but also a more comprehensive and accessible healthcare experience for the residents of the South West Region.
One of the brains behind this innovative solution is Churchill Nanje, the founder of Afro Vision. The tech hub based in Silicon Mountain in Buea built the application.
Nanje emphasized the urgent need to transition from the analogue storage of medical records, a prevalent practice in many hospitals across Cameroon.
The app, already operational in three major hospitals in Buea, was officially introduced to healthcare practitioners today.
The main solution the app is bringing is that of the loss of hospital books and health records.
“Most people nowadays buy hospital books today and in five months, they lose it. But it’s very vital for doctors to have your health records from childhood so that they can easily know how to manage your case based on your history,” Nanje said.
During the App presentation, he stated that most hospitals in Cameroon still keep medical records in an analogue.
He highlighted the inconvenience patients face. They are compelled to carry physical booklets each time they visit a healthcare facility.
This practice often leads to incomplete medical histories, making accurate diagnosis a challenge for healthcare professionals.
The SW-Health App, according to Nanje, aims to bridge this gap by providing a seamless digital platform for maintaining and accessing medical records.
“The system will help show records, show history that can help inform action,” he affirmed, emphasizing the potential for improved healthcare outcomes through comprehensive patient information.
Representing the Southwest Regional Assembly, Samuel Ndive expressed immense pride in the successful realization of the app project.
He described it as a “great achievement” aligned with the Assembly’s commitment to enhancing access to healthcare for the population.
The SW-Health App, Ndive added, essentially serves as a “digital hospital book,” addressing the longstanding issue of misplaced or lost medical records.
HRH Dr. Atem Ebako, President of the House of Chiefs, managed the project, which incurred a cost of FCFA 20 million.
The initiative commenced last year with an extensive research phase, during which data was collected from 44 health facilities in the South West to identify their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) needs.
However, despite its promising potential, the SW-Health App faces a significant hurdle—poor digital infrastructure at hospitals.
The lack of reliable Internet connectivity in hospitals poses a challenge, potentially leading some healthcare practitioners to prefer the traditional manual recording of data.
Also, frequent power outages may stall the effectiveness of the digital drive. Hospitals, like other public services in Cameroon, continue to grapple with frequent electricity cuts that slow down service delivery.
As the Southwest Region embraces this digital frontier in healthcare, the success of the SW-Health App hinges not only on its technological prowess but also on addressing the infrastructural challenges that could hinder its widespread adoption.
The Regional Assembly remains optimistic about the transformative impact of this initiative. It envisions a future where accessible and comprehensive healthcare is a reality for all.
Mimi Mefo Info
