Key Takeaways
- All 170 public health facilities in Murang’a County are now connected to high-speed satellite internet.
- The initiative aims to enhance healthcare delivery and reduce internet costs by approximately 70%.
- Plans are underway to introduce drone services to further improve healthcare in the region.
Modernizing Healthcare in Murang’a County
Murang’a County has achieved a significant milestone in healthcare modernization by connecting all 170 public health facilities to high-speed satellite internet. Governor Irungu Kang’ata announced that this transformative initiative links both urban and rural health centres to the Telemedicine Hub at Muriranjas Level Four Hospital in Kahuro.
The upgrade was facilitated through a partnership with Paratus Group, an authorized service provider collaborating with Starlink. Transitioning from conventional Wi-Fi to satellite technology aims to enhance healthcare service delivery across all facilities while decreasing internet costs by approximately 70%. “Murang’a County has already installed satellite dishes in all 170 public health facilities. This move will eliminate downtime, enhance efficiency in healthcare delivery, and strengthen our digital health systems,” noted Kang’ata during the launch.
The improved connectivity is key to expanding Murang’a County’s telemedicine program. Patients at dispensaries and health centres will have the opportunity to consult medical specialists remotely without the need to travel to Murang’a Level Five Hospital. The satellite internet system will support real-time telemedicine consultations, manage digital patient records, streamline laboratory diagnostics, and enable quicker referrals, addressing past challenges in these areas.
Additionally, public institutions such as schools and churches within a 14-kilometre radius of the upgraded health facilities can apply for access to the satellite connectivity through the county government and Paratus Group.
In conjunction with this initiative, the county’s solarisation program aims to connect 140 out of the 170 health facilities to solar power by the end of June, ensuring a stable energy supply for healthcare services. Martin Cox, Chief Commercial Officer of Paratus Group, praised Murang’a County for its commitment to digitalizing healthcare, emphasizing that satellite internet provides reliable connectivity, particularly in remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure is lacking.
County Chief Officer for Health Eliud Maina highlighted that the enhanced internet connectivity would facilitate better access to patient information and enable the swift transmission of laboratory results. He also mentioned Murang’a County’s exploration of introducing drone services to further elevate healthcare delivery, fulfilling a pledge made by Governor Kang’ata during his election campaign.
The launch was also attended by representatives from the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as officials from the Israeli, Slovakian, and United States embassies, indicating broader support for this digital transformation in healthcare.
The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.
