Africa is the continent with the most significant and pressing health challenges. With digital technologies, the continent can advance its healthcare system and address some of the issues in the sector.

Seychelles wants to accelerate the digitization of its healthcare services. The country has decided to assess the maturity of its digital healthcare system using a tool developed in partnership with the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health (CWCDH), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The information was revealed at a recent four-day workshop held in Mahe and attended by the country's health officials, Commonwealth representatives, and international partners.

During the workshop, Seychelles' Minister of Health, Peggy Vidot, noted that the tool would help measure progress in the digital transformation of the country’s health sector. "In this era marked by rapid technological progress, the integration of digital health solutions emerges as a critical imperative. Seychelles embarks on a transformative journey, leveraging the power of digital innovation to fortify our healthcare system," he said. 

The preliminary findings of the assessment indicate that the Seychelles government has made substantial progress in its efforts to enhance digital health systems, particularly through investments in an electronic health information system.

The findings also underscored that there is still significant work to be done. This includes establishing systems for incorporating user and patient feedback into digital solutions, adopting standards for network infrastructure and training, integrating monitoring and evaluation into project implementation, mapping existing digital solutions, policies, and guidelines into a cohesive digital health strategy, and enacting legislation for data storage and security.

Samira Njoya