The Ministry of Health has announced that it will introduce a new biometric registration system for minors.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 10, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the digital platform will create a secure, unique link between each child and their medical records.
He added that the biometric system will help healthcare providers access essential patient information, no matter where a child seeks treatment. Duale said the move will eliminate duplicate registrations and reduce misidentification.
“A child’s medical history, immunization logs, and treatment records will be accessible at any SHA facility nationwide, allowing medical workers to make faster, informed clinical decisions,” the CS said.
The government also expects the technology to help safeguard public healthcare resources by cutting fraud and preventing benefit misuse.
“Biometric verification enhances institutional security, significantly reducing benefit misuse and ensuring resources go to legitimate beneficiaries,” Duale said.
The Ministry of Health also believes the platform will streamline administrative work in health facilities, reduce paperwork, and shorten patient waiting times. It said the system will simplify patient registration so clinical staff can focus more on patient care instead of administrative tasks.
KNH Is Going Fully Digital in 90 Days
Meanwhile, the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) is pushing forward with its digital transformation, just one month after launching a 90-day countdown to a fully automated healthcare system. KNH CEO Richard Lesiyampe noted that the upgrade will bring hospital services in line with the demands of a modern healthcare environment.
“Kenyatta National Hospital is rolling out a full transition from manual to fully digital systems across all hospital operations. For over 125 years of KNH’s existence, patients have relied on outdated paper-based processes. This is no longer compatible with a modern healthcare system,” the statement read.
To ensure the new platform fits the hospital’s specific clinical and operational needs, KNH’s own medical and technical teams designed and tailored the system internally, naming it Afya Apex.
“The new system, known as Afya Apex, has been fully configured and customised by our own staff, including nurses, consultants, and other specialists, in line with clinical and operational processes, ensuring strong ownership and alignment with service delivery needs,” the statement added.
The hospital launched the rollout on April 15 and expects to complete the entire transition within the 90-day window.
