Hospital Health Information Management System Launched at the District General Hospital Gampaha
The Hospital Health Information Management System (HHIMS), initiated by ICT Agency of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Health, was launched at the District General Hospital Gampaha recently by the Director of Health Information Dr.Palitha Karunapema. ICTA Chief Digital Government Officer, Mr. Kanchana Thudugala, Provincial Director of Health Services Dr. Dhammika Jayalath, Gampaha District Regional Director of Health Services Dr. Indika Wanninayaka, and District General Hospital Gampaha Director Dr. Saman Pathirana participated at the launch.
Commenting on the initiative, ICTA Chief Digital Government Officer, Mr. Kanchana Thudugala stated, "'it is yet another step towards meaningful digital transformation alongside a broader formation of a Digital Health Blueprint. Furthermore, the initiative is a part of the wider national digital transformation strategy under the ICTA ‘Digital Government Pillar’ to improve processes, design, and offer services with citizens’ needs in mind, to serve citizens better to provide a convenient and efficient experience".
Currently, the outpatient department treats an average of 700 to 800 patients daily. The introduction of HHIMS will significantly reduce the need for maintaining paper-based records and improve patient service. Some automated functions include patient registration, examination, drug ordering (prescription), lab tests, injections, radiology testing, and summary report generation. From a clinical perspective, the HHIMS improves quality by giving timely access to critical clinical information, mobilizing new resources, and ensuring accountability in how they are used.
It also offers many advantages to higher level decision makers in the health care administration in Sri Lanka. It can help to detect and control emerging and endemic health problems. It enables to monitor progress towards health goals and promote equity in health care by empowering the citizen with timely and relevant health-related information. From the point of view of the policy maker it strengthens the evidence base for formulating effective health policies, permitting evaluation of scale-up efforts.
This initiative is one of the many initiatives spearheaded by the Digital Government vertical of ICTA in line with a long-term road map for digitalizing the government sector services. Many projects are underway to create the necessary infrastructure of shared solutions, platforms, technology, and processes to build valuable user-focused services and improve the ease of doing business through policy reforms and integrated services focusing on business needs. Thereby ensuring efficiency when transacting with the government.