Kenyatta National Hospital begins transition to paperless healthcaresystem
Kenyatta National Hospital has launched a new digital health management system aimed at transforming service delivery and gradually transitioning the country’s largest referral hospital into a fully paperless institution.
Speaking during the launch, Anthony Lenayara, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Health Authority, said the Afya Apex Taifa Care System will digitise hospital operations and improve efficiency across key clinical departments.
“When we fully roll out this system, we expect Kenyatta National Hospital to be paperless,” Lenayara said, noting that the platform will eventually be expanded to Level 5 and Level 6 hospitals across the country.
The system, a comprehensive Hospital Management Information System (HMIS), is designed to integrate services such as patient registration, laboratory services, radiology, pharmacy, triage and Accident and Emergency (A&E), enabling faster access to patient information and improving coordination among healthcare providers.
Officials say the digital platform will streamline clinical workflows, reduce administrative delays and improve accuracy in patient record management, ultimately enhancing treatment outcomes.
As part of the rollout, the Digital Health Authority has committed to providing the hospital with free internet connectivity for the next 10 years to ensure seamless operation of the system.
Lenayara added that all devices deployed to support the system have been securely tagged and equipped with power banks to guarantee uninterrupted functionality within the hospital environment.
Also speaking during the launch, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Kenyatta National Hospital Richard Lesiyampe confirmed that the hospital has already received 1,286 digital devices to facilitate the transition to the digital platform.
Lesiyampe said the system was developed by the Digital Health Authority in collaboration with key partners, highlighting the role of partnerships in advancing digital transformation in Kenya’s healthcare sector.
A live demonstration conducted during the event showcased the system’s capabilities, including how patient records can be captured and accessed instantly across departments to support faster clinical decision-making.
The system had earlier been piloted for two months in Machakos to test its effectiveness before being introduced at the national referral hospital.
Hospital management said the next phase of implementation will focus on comprehensive staff training to ensure smooth adoption of the system across all departments.
Heads of departments have been tasked with preparing their teams for the transition, with officials noting that the success of the digital transformation will depend not only on technology but also on how effectively staff integrate the system into daily operations.
Once fully implemented, the Afya Apex system is expected to improve efficiency in hospital operations, enhance patient experience and support better management of health data, marking a significant step toward modernising healthcare delivery in Kenya.
