The County Government of Nakuru has unveiled a digital platform that will help in treatment and management of diabetes and hypertension.
The digital platform which was rolled out by the county’s Department of Health in partnership with the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF) is also expected to enhance health data management.
A number of healthcare services have been incorporated in the platform which was designed by Medtronic Labs and includes consultations, tests, treatment and monitoring of the important medical conditions according to national and best practice guidelines.
County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Health Roselyn Mungai explained that the initiative aims to integrate diabetes and hypertension prevention and management into primary health care model that has already been fully rolled out across the 11 Sub-Counties.
Speaking during an induction workshop on the platform for health workers drawn from Kuresoi South and Rongai Sub Counties, Mungai said the model was in line with Governor Susan Kihika’s manifesto on prioritizing the strengthening of support systems for chronic diseases management.
The county executive said by improving coordination between physicians and patients, the digital platform will enable more customized care, which she noted was vital with regard to managing diabetes and hypertension.
She indicated that through the technology physicians will be able to track patients on medication and find out whether their condition is under control while also identifying those defaulting on medication.
According to Mungai, all the relevant information and a historical view of the individual patient will easily be accessed by the healthcare workers attending to them.
Once the clients log on to the platform, the CECM explained that they will be offered the possibility to make use of a self-management application where they will input their blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
She further said that the patients will then be offered feedback based on their results which includes alerts to visit the nearest health facility if their sugar or pressure levels are out of range. The platform also offers push notifications to remind users when to check their blood sugar next.
“Blood pressure and blood sugar levels readings are keyed into the digital platform that links to the healthcare providers at the health centres. If the readings are not within normal, the doctors are alerted and are able to call either to give instructions on what remedial action to take or to have the patient go to the hospital”, elaborated the health officer.
Mungai observed that the user-friendly digital platform would help underserved populations particularly low-income families and adults aged over of 65 years.
She explained that the interventions and monitoring through the system can be handled by support staff, a move which will free up more time for physicians.
“The technology makes things simpler. You get an SMS notification when your patient is not doing well and you are able to follow up remotely,” said the CECM
The prevalence of hypertension according to the Ministry of Health STEPS Report is said to have increased over the last 20 years. More than half (56%) of Kenyans have never measured blood pressure and only one in five (22.3%) of those previously diagnosed with hypertension are on treatment.
County Director for Medical Services Dr. Daniel Wainaina and the County NCDs coordinator, Mr Jackson Cheruiyot said that the training will be rolled out in the remaining nine Sub-Counties in phases.
By Esther Mwangi
