Ditigal health key to a resilient Africa, says Africa CDC's Dr Mazaba

As the Lake Region Digital Health Conference got underway, Dr. Mazyanga Lucy Liwewe Mazaba, Regional Director for the Eastern Africa Regional Coordinating Center of Africa (CDC), emphasized the urgent need for digital health to strengthen Africa's healthcare systems.

Dr. Mazaba underscored the importance of leveraging digital tools for better healthcare access, efficient surveillance, and rapid responses to healthcare emergencies, especially in light of the recent global crisis.

"Digital health emerges as a pivotal tool in enhancing surveillance, early detection, and rapid response capabilities. Embracing digital health is not merely an option but a necessity for building a resilient Africa.," she said.

She outlined Africa's CDC's Digital Health Transformation Strategy, highlighting the role of the African Union Health Information Exchange (AU-HIE), launched in 2023, which facilitates seedless data sharing across borders to improve monitoring and responsiveness throughout the continent.

Dr. Mazaba noted that one milestone in this journey is the development of the HIE maturity assessment model, which helps member states evaluate their digital health capabilities and identify gaps in leadership, governance, workforce, and infrastructure. Preliminary findings from a pilot HIE maturity assessment conducted in Kenya highlighted strong governance and infrastructure but challenges in workforce development and policy enforcement.

"This process will enable Kenya to create actionable road-maps for advancing health information exchange".

Through strategic partnerships and innovative initiatives, she added they are committed to digitizing health systems, from improving data collection and analysis to strengthening telemedicine capabilities.

"This strategy not only modernizes our approach but ensures equitable access to quality healthcare for all Africans. A digitally enabled health system is poised to advance Sustainable Development Goal 3 by ensuring good health and well-being for people of all ages."

Despite the transformative potential of digital health, several barriers remain. She noted that these range from infrastructural limitations to concerns about data privacy and security.

"Overcoming these requires sustainable financing, including public-private partnerships, and comprehensive change management to build digital adoption."

By prioritising capacity building, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and fostering active community engagement, Dr Mazaba added that they can cultivate an ecosystem where digital health thrives, delivering meaningful impact to every African community.

"Together, we have the opportunity to shape a future where every individual enjoys the benefits of connected healthcare systems."