Transforming public health

The City of Johannesburg reached 500 000 patients that have registered on the Electronic Health Record (EHR) System called eHealth@Joburg.
This is a milestone in the history of electronic health records. Patient number 500 000, Ms. Nomhle Ntsizana was successfully registered on the eHealth system at Halfway House Clinic.
“We are happy to report that this is the highest number of patients ever captured on the system in public health in Africa. This is something worth celebrating and also serves as evidence that the City is transforming the face of public health” said MMC Phalatse.
Technological advances, economic investment, as well as social and cultural changes are contributing to the realization that health and social development departments must now integrate technology into its way of doing business. The daily business of health and social development from all its aspects – from individual care to social services – relies on information and communication and, increasingly, on the technologies that enable it, at every level and in every region.
The City has extended eHealth to include a smart queueing system. The queuing system will be used to stabilize patient flow in the clinics and allow for the transfer of patients from reception to consultation room using an anonymous numbering process. It includes queue monitors in the reception areas and access to booking appointments via a cell phone. The benefits include, but are not limited to a reduction in patient waiting times; and most importantly an improved experience for the patient in a health facility; resulting in the patient being treated with dignity.
She urged the public to take care of the infrastructure, to own it and make use of it and this requires cooperation from all stakeholders including patients who use the service.