Implementation of the Health Patient Registration System (HPRS) in KwaZulu-Natal is being hamstrung by a budget shortfall and issues relating to internet connectivity, according to Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane, who said the numerous hard-to-access rural areas were hindering connectivity.
Addressing the Select Committee on Social Services at the National Council of Provinces last Wednesday, she said although some clinics were unable to implement the system, there was “a strategy to deal with it”, reports IOL.
The HPRS is an initiative to improve healthcare and data management as one of the National Health Insurance (NHI) imperatives, but currently, the system “lacks interoperability with existing systems in the DoH”, said the Acting Head of Department in KZN, Penny Msimango.
Thus far, 15m patients have been registered, with 3.7m of them at 74 health facilities in the eThekwini district. Provincially, the number of facilities with functional HPRS is 488, and non-functional 119, with challenges at 116 clinics.
Msimango said that 42 hospitals have started implementing the eHealth system to digitise medical records and replace outdated paper-based record-keeping.
While none has yet implemented the HPRS, the DoH has identified 10 hospitals to pilot it. They form part of the group of 42 hospitals using the eHealth system, which Msimango hopes will achieve interoperability between eHealth and HPRS.
“Although the system offers significant benefits, its functionality is currently limited to patient registration and there are persistent issues with unreliable or slow internet connectivity. Some facilities do not have functional computers and scanners but procurement is being undertaken in phases, and subject to the availability of the budget,” she said.
Dr Imran Keeka, MPL and DA KZN spokesperson on Health, said the bigger issue is where patient records need to be fully electronic – and KZN is far from that point.
“The reality is that within the current purse, this is not possible and will unfortunately drag on. I have repeatedly suggested that soliciting donor funding will resolve the matter just as the Western Cape Department of Health did.
“The other issue is one of connectivity to the internet, especially in rural areas and communities. It is hoped that Minister Solly Malatsi’s efforts to open the market in this area will yield results that will eventually and positively impact healthcare services in this regard,” he added.
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