Blockchain: A Beacon Of Hope For Africa's Heathcare Sector
Africa
Technology
Technology has continued to greatly influence different sectors in the African region. The health sector in Africa has adopted the use of technology by integrating information communication systems in understanding health systems that encompasses people and laid out structures. Technology continues to evolve with development of blockchain leading to the growth of cryptocurrencies in the financial markets. Blockchain technology is a form of technology whose nature is decentralized, transparent, efficient and secure. This means individuals can access the services needed at any place of their convenience seamlessly without any barriers such as control by a particular group, organization or an individual. Blockchain technology is emerging as a powerful tool that could change the face of the health sector in the African region. It could spearhead better health services by addressing the most pressing health concerns in the continent. Most health care institutions in Africa rely on paper-based health records which are fragmented. The use of blockchain in the management of health records would go a long way in preventing and eradicating cases of loss of patients’ health records. There have been cases of patients file being exchanged with other patients’ files resulting into medical errors. Blockchain not only can it store those files tamper free, but also ensure transparency in accessibility of patients’ files among different health practitioners and institutions that would culminate into quality care of patients. The supply chain in the health sector plays a crucial role in ensuring movement of drugs from manufacturers. Patients in Africa have been mediated with drugs which have been banned by international bodies such as World Health Organization (WHO) and other countries. Through blockchain technology, hospitals and pharmacies can track the movement of recommended drugs, from the time they are manufactured to the intended destinations. This could lower cases of counterfeit medications and promoting timely delivery of drugs. The long procedures in patient admissions to hospitals is a menace in Africa, which has resulted into deaths as patients seek to be timely admitted in hospitals. This is mostly attributed to the poor health payment systems. Blockchain could be adopted in such scenarios to ensure timely and transparent transfer of payments, that is accessible to the needed hospital departments resulting into smooth admission of patients and reduction in hospital costs. Countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa are already exploring and using blockchain technology in the health sector. Kenya is relying on blockchain technology in the management of medical supplies in the supply chain thus lowering cases of medical supply shortages and counterfeit drugs. Nigeria uses the blockchain technology to track the supply of drugs to the remote areas resulting into timely and safe delivery of the drugs. While the use of blockchain technology in Africa could solve most of Africa’s problems, the continent has huge deficits in areas that could make the use of such a technology a success. Africa is poorly equipped in technological infrastructure, blockchain regulatory policies and cybersecurity. Blockchain education training needs to be carried out in health institutions by creating awareness among health practitioners and policymakers. Individuals such as patients need to be aware on how they can use such technology, as they would be able to retrieve their medical records at any time, at any place. Africa could be one short away from revolutionizing the health sector by enjoying the benefits of using blockchain technology.
2 MONTHS AGO
