Overview
Rwanda’s focus on health information exchange dates back to 2009, when the Rwanda Health Enterprise Architecture efforts began. That effort represented the first implementation of an interoperable health information exchange in Africa and paved the way for Rwanda’s current architecture.
Rwanda has established the Rwanda Health Information Exchange platform that allows users to operate their preferred system as long as it is interoperable within the exchange. The national government provides a unique ID to all patients who visit the facilities, and the services provided are linked to the patient through this unique ID which is linked to the shared health record. To successfully execute this, they developed their systems through the private sector rather than using off-the-shelf systems.
With the implementation of these standardized systems, change management becomes a priority, for example through training the healthcare workers on the terminology service.
Designated eHLF Representative
Sylvere Mugumya
Ag. Chief Digital Officer Rwanda Ministry of Health
Governance
Rwanda’s model is made up of two arms: one responsible for governance and the other responsible for digitization. The governance arm sets priorities and sets the vision for digitization.
There is a uniform understanding that digitization is an enabler of a sector or domain where it is implemented. The Minister of Health is the custodian of all digitalization in all sectors and has dedicated chief digital officers in all sectors who are seconded in all sectors to serve as implementing agents.
The national government maintains collaboration with the private sector and development partners through a quarterly digital health technical working group. In this session, they share the progress of the funded projects and identify any funding gaps.
Strong digital health governance has been a prerequisite to actualizing this vision. Given the cost implications, it is critical to have the backing of the top leadership.
Rwanda | Presented in | Planned, Designed, and Developed | Deployed in a Limited Scope | Deployed Nationally | Actively Exchanging Health Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Logistics Management | |||||
| Shared Health Record | |||||
| Health Management | |||||
| Finance and Insurance | |||||
| Terminology | |||||
| Client Registry | |||||
| Facility Registry | |||||
| Health Worker Registry | |||||
| Product Catalogue | |||||
| Interoperability Layer | Diagram |
Shared in 2018 via the National Digital Health Strategic Plan