Uganda’s health sector has taken a major step toward modernization with the official handover of 16 national digital health systems to the Ministry of Health Uganda.
According to Diana Atwiine, the permanent secretary at the ministry of health, this move replaces the long-standing paper-based record-keeping approach in hospitals, which often caused lost files, delays, and inefficiencies in healthcare delivery.
The digital platforms were developed over a 15-year collaboration between Makerere University School of Public Health and the United States government, through PEPFAR support.
The systems are designed to enhance efficiency, improve data management, and enable faster, more coordinated patient care.
Initially focused on HIV treatment, the platforms now include tuberculosis, malaria, disease surveillance, and general health data collection. Digitization allows health facilities to access accurate patient information instantly, reducing administrative delays and streamlining operations.
The systems improve efficiency, enable accurate data collection for planning, and strengthen health program design.
The Ministry is rolling out the systems to more facilities and urging health workers to maintain the equipment and integrate the digital tools fully into daily service delivery.
However, they are calling upon health workers across the country to properly use and safeguard the digital equipment provided, emphasizing that its success will depend on how well it is maintained and integrated into daily service delivery.