THE MINISTRY of Health has rolled out the Electronic Logistics Management Information System (eLMIS) to cut the red tape and ensure more efficiency in drug delivery. Like Dr Anita Asiimwe, the state minister for public health and primary healthcare, said, having a system that enables timely deliveries, planning and adaptability is a key milestone in the quest for providing quality healthcare to citizens. But that is not all about this eLMIS to the health sector and the nation as a whole. If there are still any cases of drug theft and frauds, there is no doubt the system will clean up this mess. The computers at the ministry headquarters monitor distributions, as well as it does drug expiry and bad drugs. This ensures the safety of patients as end users. However, far from the benefits to patients and accountability issues is the digital transition. For a country that aspires to be the regional digital hub, this is one of those steps that fulfill the walking-the-talk adage. The government’s investment in information and telecommunication technology sector has been outstanding, not least, because of the recognition that ICT remains indispensable in today’s global development and economic prosperity. The energy government is channeling into uplifting the ICT sector is to help fast-track Vision 2020 development agenda. ICT is the cog wheel upon which economic development is run in the digital era that the world is today. Seeing the Ministry of Health put a foot forward is encouraging but there is more than just drugs delivery that can enhance medical service delivery. As health centres countrywide are connected to the electronic system, other areas such as electronic medical records (EMR) should be fast-tracked. Laying the infrastructure needed to run EMR system would ensure that all health facilities switch to digital format where medical records are accessed at the click of the mouse from wherever a patient sought service. With the eLMIS in place, the desire to pursue EMR system should be renewed with more vigour.
