CHISU shares perspective to guide Ghana's health information system enterprise architecture

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Mr. Hammond Sarkwah, Deputy Director,ICT presenting on the existing GHS enterprise architecture. Photo Credit: GHS ICT Department

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) recently took a significant step towards advancing the country’s enterprise architecture to guide health information exchange to strengthen health care delivery. Bringing together representatives from all 11 GHS divisions to foster collaboration, advocacy, and knowledge sharing, GHS convened its staff and partners in July 2024 for discussions to shape the future of GHS' digital infrastructure.

Dr. Andrews Ayim, representing the Director of the Policy, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Division (PPMED), emphasized that this revision aims to go beyond a technical upgrade to fundamentally improve Ghana’s entire healthcare delivery system. He acknowledged the current challenges faced by the service, including difficulties in harmonizing data from various sources, limited operability, and inadequate digital literacy and skills. His remarks set a forward-looking tone for the day’s discussions and strategic planning, fostering a collective vision for a more effective healthcare system.

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Stephen Osewe, Software & Systems Lead, CHISU presenting on leveraging health enterprise architecture to improve patient care. Photo Credit: GHS ICT Department

Mr. Stephen Osewe, Software and Systems Lead at CHISU, highlighted the transformative potential of enterprise architecture in revolutionizing patient care within GHS. He underscored the need for a more efficient, patient-centered healthcare system by adopting innovative approaches and best practices that promise to streamline processes and enhance data management, ultimately improving patient outcomes. He showcased the blueprint of Kenya’s digital health superhighway and how it has transformed patient care.

Hammond Sarkwah, Deputy Director of ICT, provided a candid overview of GHS’s current EA, discussing its successes and challenges. He emphasized the necessity of addressing existing issues while building on past achievements. This collective resolve is important for developing a robust and adaptable EA that meets current and future healthcare needs.

Participants engaged in interactive discussions with each other, showcasing the collective expertise within GHS and reinforcing a shared commitment to driving transformation. Participants explored strategies to overcome challenges, highlighting the importance of continuous collaboration and knowledge sharing, thus strengthening the network of GHS professionals dedicated to ongoing improvement.

Consultant Tony Bediako shared global perspectives on successful EA prototypes and their adaptability to Ghana’s context. This provided a tangible glimpse of a successful transformation, encouraging the adoption of global best practices tailored to local needs.

The meeting concluded with a clear roadmap for future actions, ensuring a collective effort towards the envisioned transformation.

With the insights gained and commitments made during the meeting, GHS now has a solid foundation to enhance the quality and efficiency of healthcare delivery across the nation, galvanizing a shared vision for a more effective and patient-centered healthcare system in Ghana.