New improvements for healthcare facilities
In stepping up the pace towards becoming a digital city and promoting the effective use of technology to improve healthcare, Ekurhuleni is phasing in the E-Health records system in primary health care facilities across the metro.
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Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe said the system will also assist the municipality to establish how many clients are registered at a specific clinic.
The municipality will use that data for the purpose of improving the planning of health services and the allocation of resources.
It will also assist in the administration of medication and eliminate the current challenge of duplication of treatment, where patients receive medication from more than one clinic.
The record system will, in future, be linked with an SMS notification system that has already been piloted in nine health facilities.
Chronic patients will be sent a short text message, reminding them of their next consultation date.
In addition, an electronic module Mom Connect will be applied in response to the national strategy to modernise healthcare.
Mom Connect is a cellphone system linked to a National Electronic Information Centre that was implemented through the national department of health, in September, 2014.
It is an SMS service that will provide expectant mothers with information and advice on pregnancy and serve as a channel to notify government about poor service.
Training is ongoing to ensure that all clerical personnel are proficient to use the E-health records system.
While the municipality is phasing in the process of the system, residents are urged to adhere to their appointment dates to prevent overcrowding at clinics.
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