malvernmugadzikwa
Violet Chenyika
AT least 1 322 health facilities across the country are this year set to have the Impilo electronic health record (EHR) system to enhance their operations in clinical protocols and monitoring and tracking of patients.
This is in addition to the 1 178 facilities where the system has been implemented since its inception in 2021.
The Impilo is a comprehensive health-centric and integrated national electronic health record system for patient registration and evaluation; patient tracking; stock usage and tracking; and data management, data aggregation, validation and analysis.
The system was developed by a local technical team to improve patient data monitoring across the country.
It is envisaged that in future, the system will involve patient data management, real-time access, clinical decision support, electronic prescribing, order entry and management, patient portal, data analytics and reporting and interoperability.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Child Care Dr Aspect Maunganidze said they were targeting over 1 322 health facilities this year.
“With support from the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services and the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), we are working to establish internet connectivity at 1 322 health facilities this year,” he told The Sunday Mail.
“As of now, the Impilo EHR has been deployed at 1 178 healthcare facilities across Zimbabwe, which are at varied levels of adoption and uptake.
“These facilities are distributed across various provinces and districts. Coverage includes clinics, hospitals and other health centres.”
Government agencies that contributed to the Impilo (EHR) project include the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services; the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development; and Potraz.
Significant financial and technical support has also come from donor funding and implementing partners.
“The system aims to enhance healthcare delivery by improving data accuracy, reducing administrative burdens, minimising medical errors and facilitating better communication between patients and providers,” he said.
Dr Maunganidze said the Impilo system has safeguards in place to prevent data breaches and protect sensitive health information.
These measures include user authentication, encryption, access controls audit trails, regular security updates and patches, firewalls and intrusion detection systems, user training and awareness and compliance with the legal regulatory standards.
A breakdown of the number of facilities where the EHR system has been deployed is: Bulawayo (23), Harare (53), Manicaland (225), Mashonaland Central (88), Mashonaland East (111), Mashonaland West (148), Masvingo (158), Matabeleland North (79), Matabeleland South (135) and Midlands (158).
Harare-based medical doctor Dr Joe Chiripanyanga applauded the Government’s efforts in implementing the Impilo system.
“This benefits us medical practitioners, because it becomes easy for us to access patient data,” he said.
“These systems, if they are all integrated, mean that a doctor in Harare can even review notes of a patient who is in Victoria Falls and can also share data in terms of laboratory and scan results, which can be uploaded in the system.
“As you know, medical records are legal documents as well, so they have to be stored in a safe environment.”
Online Reporter