A private hospitals’ association and an ICT solutions provider have partnered to provide automated and affordable healthcare services.
The Rural Private Hospitals Association (RUPHA) and Smart Applications International signed the deal on Wednesday at the International Live House in Nairobi.
Under the agreement, the two entities will adopt and use the smart hospital management information system (Smarthealth+).
In the new deal, all private and national insurers, including NHIF, will be engaged in the adoption and use of smart biometric solutions
RUPHA chairman Brian Lishenga urged the government to support them as major partners in the fight against Covid-19.
“Not all private hospitals are well-established to fight the coronavirus, but with the support of the government, they will all emerge winners against the pandemic,” Lishenga said.
Smart Applications International chairman Chris Kirubi welcomed the partnership, saying it will ensure Kenyans access affordable medical care.
“The new partnership will go a long way in helping Kenyans reach more healthcare providers. We plan to introduce smart cards which patients will use to access services anywhere in Kenya,” he said.
Smart Applications International is a biometric technology company, while RUPHA is an association of privately-owned medical centres, outpatient centres, ambulatory care centres, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, diagnostic centres and hospitals across the country.
Lishenga said RUPHA presently has 256 members spread across the 47 counties. It provides 40 per cent of the health services in the country, he said.