The Health NGOs Network (HENNET), in collaboration with Transform Health Kenya and KELIN, convened a multi-stakeholder dialogue under the theme “My Data, Our Health” to strengthen conversations on digital health data governance and its role in building resilient, people-centered health systems in Kenya.
The dialogue brought together civil society organizations, youth-led and women-led organizations, policymakers, development partners, health experts, and media representatives to build a shared understanding of the Model Law on Health Data Governance and its relevance to the implementation of Kenya’s Digital Health Act.
The discussions explored priority gaps within Kenya’s health data governance framework while identifying strategic advocacy opportunities to promote inclusive, equitable, and accountable health data governance. The forum also strengthened collaboration among civil society actors working to advance digital health conversations across the country.
The engagement reflected a multi-sectoral and inclusive approach, ensuring diverse perspectives and meaningful stakeholder participation in shaping the campaign and broader digital health advocacy efforts.
Overview of the Campaign: “My Data, Our Health”
The “My Data, Our Health” campaign focuses on addressing gaps in the implementation of Kenya’s Digital Health Act. Despite progress in digital health systems, significant challenges remain — including limited public awareness, inadequate access to personal health data, and weak accountability mechanisms for data misuse. The campaign is anchored on achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by leveraging digital technology and data.
Digital Health in Nairobi County
The evolution of digital health in Nairobi County focuses on the county’s transition from paper-based systems to electronic health records and the opportunities created by digital transformation.
The previous paper-based system was characterized by delayed reporting, incomplete records, missing data, and frequent human errors all of which affected the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health has adopted approved Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems currently supporting service delivery across public health facilities, including:
• Taifa Care
• Kenya EMR
• Afya KE
• Afya Apex
• Afya Links
These systems have significantly strengthened patient record management, improved access to health information, and enhanced overall service delivery.
Benefits of Digital Health Technologies
The presentation emphasized numerous benefits of digital health technologies in strengthening healthcare systems, including:
• Improved efficiency and accuracy in patient care
• Enhanced data security and accountability
• Reduced patient waiting times
• Strengthened disease surveillance and outbreak monitoring
• Improved government planning through timely access to quality health data
• Reduced resource wastage by minimizing paperwork and duplication
• Strengthened financial management within health facilities
• Greater access to telemedicine services, allowing lower-level facilities to consult specialists remotely
• Improved continuity of care through secure electronic patient records maintaining complete patient histories, laboratory results, diagnoses, medications, allergies, and treatment outcomes.
Policy and Legislative Frameworks
Participants discussed the policy and legislative frameworks guiding digital health implementation in Kenya. Reference was made to the Digital Health Act, 2023, the Data Protection Act, 2019, the Facility Improvement Financing Act, and the Public Financial Management Act — all of which provide the legal foundation for digital health governance, financing, data protection, and accountability.
Digital Health Act, 2023 establishes the framework for the development, coordination, and governance of digital health services in Kenya, guiding the establishment of digital health infrastructure, electronic health information exchange, health information standards, and the management of digital health systems to support a more integrated healthcare ecosystem.
Data Protection Act, 2019 establishes the framework for safeguarding patient privacy and ensuring responsible management of personal health information, reinforcing the need for strong data governance practices, informed consent, cybersecurity measures, and accountability among institutions handling sensitive health information.
Facility Improvement Financing Act was discussed in relation to strengthening healthcare facility autonomy and supporting sustainable financing of health services, including investments in digital health infrastructure.
Public Financial Management Act was referenced as an important framework for ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective use of public resources allocated toward digital health initiatives.
Public-Private Partnerships
Discussions also underscored the importance of public-private partnerships in advancing digital health. Collaboration between government and private sector actors is essential for increasing investment in research, digital infrastructure, workforce capacity building, and the development of sustainable digital health solutions driving innovation while complementing government efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
Electronic Health Records (EHRs): Strengthening Healthcare Delivery
The meeting highlighted the critical role of Electronic Health Records in improving how patient information is collected, stored, accessed, and used for clinical and administrative decision-making. Unlike traditional paper-based records, EHRs provide a digital platform that allows healthcare providers timely access to accurate, up-to-date patient information, contributing to improved quality, safety, and efficiency of care.
Key contributions of EHRs to healthcare quality:
1. Maintaining comprehensive patient histories over time — enabling continuous records of diagnoses, lab results, medications, allergies, immunizations, and treatments, supporting personalized and coordinated care.
2. Supporting evidence-based clinical decision-making — giving clinicians timely access to accurate data, including clinical decision-support tools such as alerts for drug interactions or abnormal results.
3. Reducing medical errors and unnecessary repeat tests — minimizing errors from incomplete or unavailable information, while reducing costs and treatment delays.
4. Improving communication between healthcare providers — strengthening coordination among doctors, nurses, specialists, and public health teams, particularly for referrals and multi-facility care.
5. Supporting quality management and health outcome reporting — providing aggregated data to assess disease patterns, monitor outcomes, and inform evidence-based planning and policy.
Challenges and Ongoing Improvements in Interoperability
The meeting also acknowledged that health information systems are not yet fully interoperable across all healthcare facilities. This means different systems used by various facilities may not communicate effectively or exchange patient information seamlessly, creating gaps in accessing complete patient records when individuals move between facilities.
However, ongoing digital health initiatives are focused on improving interoperability by developing connected health information systems that allow secure and efficient exchange of health data across facilities and levels of care. Achieving nationwide interoperability will enhance continuity of care, improve coordination among providers, strengthen health planning, and contribute to a more integrated and responsive healthcare system.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Discussions also explored the transformative role of digital health technologies in improving healthcare delivery through secure, reliable, and interoperable health data systems that support evidence-based decision-making and seamless service delivery. Participants emphasized the importance of safeguarding health data through strong ethical standards — including data privacy, protection, informed consent, and responsible data use.
The meeting further explored the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare, while underscoring the need for appropriate governance frameworks to ensure AI is deployed responsibly, ethically, and in ways that protect patient rights.
Conclusion
As Kenya accelerates its digital health transformation, collaboration among government, civil society, development partners, and communities remains essential to ensuring health data is used responsibly, ethically, and for the benefit of all.
The meeting reaffirmed that effective implementation of digital health will strengthen the quality and use of health data, support evidence-based decision-making, inform policy development and innovation, enhance the quality of healthcare services, and improve the health system’s ability to respond to emerging patient and population health needs.
HENNET remains committed to championing inclusive digital health policies, strengthening health data governance, and amplifying civil society voices in shaping a digital health ecosystem that protects individual rights while improving health outcomes.
By Joy Gacheri, Communication Asst.