Nakuru County has launched a large-scale digital health transformation that will result in the installation of high-speed internet in its Level 4 and 5 hospitals.
The initiative, a joint effort by the County Department of Health Services, the Ministry of Health Digital Health Team, Safaricom and Konvergenz Co., aims at modernizing public hospitals and improving service delivery.
The ongoing baseline assessment survey for ICT infrastructure has so far covered Nakuru PGH, Annex, Bondeni, Langalanga, Mirugi Kariuki, Bahati, Subukia and Kabazi sub-county hospitals, according to County Health ICT Coordinator Grace Wangeci.
“The objective is to install Safaricom Fibre Internet and Structured Local Area Networks (LANs), forming the backbone for all digital health systems under implementation,” said Wangeci.
The project is part of Governor Susan Kihika’s digital transformation agenda, a key component of her manifesto aimed at automating healthcare services to enhance efficiency and patient care.
For years, Nakuru’s hospitals have struggled with slow service delivery due to outdated, paper-based record-keeping systems.
The absence of integrated digital health infrastructure has resulted in long patient wait times, misplaced medical files and inefficient referral processes between facilities.
The introduction of structured local area networks (LANs) in hospitals will ensure instant access to patient records, prescriptions and diagnostic results, reducing errors and improving overall efficiency.
High-speed internet connectivity is also expected to accelerate the rollout of electronic medical records, telemedicine services, automated referrals and digital drug inventory management.
Nakuru County’s adoption of ICT-driven healthcare solutions builds on previous efforts to enhance service delivery and data management.
In 2023, the county partnered with Jacaranda Health to implement the SMS PROMPTS program, a digital platform providing health advice and referrals for underserved mothers and babies across 31 public hospitals.
The system has significantly improved maternal and child health outcomes by offering timely guidance, reminders and access to essential healthcare services.
Earlier, in 2022, Nakuru introduced the Medical Social Work Service Register, an electronic health register designed to improve data collection, accuracy and accountability in healthcare facilities.
In a bid to further advance its digital health transformation, the county installed its first AI-powered radiology system at the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital in May 2024.
The system, designed to expedite tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment, marks a major step in leveraging artificial intelligence for improved healthcare services.
With the installation of high-speed fibre internet, these digital systems, including EMRs, telemedicine and automated referrals, will now operate seamlessly, enhancing service delivery and strengthening Nakuru’s digital healthcare network.
The county government plans to extend the ICT infrastructure survey to more sub-county hospitals in the coming weeks, ensuring that all Level 4 and 5 hospitals are equipped with high-speed connectivity.
Governor Kihika’s administration has pledged to continue integrating technology in healthcare, with future plans including digital consultation booths, automated health insurance verification and AI-assisted diagnosis tools.
As Nakuru accelerates its journey toward smart healthcare, the transformation is set to improve patient experiences, reduce operational costs and enhance overall efficiency in the county’s public health system.
The initiative not only aligns with the national government’s push for universal digital healthcare but also showcases the role of public-private collaborations in advancing medical services across Kenya.
By Jane Ngugi and Patience Moraa
