- Tech equips healthcare professionals with the necessary information to enhance patient outcomes, simplify admin, and minimized costs.
- The sector experts also noted that health insurers may lack expertise in areas such as AI. Therefore, partnerships with specialists in these fields are crucial.
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Healthcare and insurance sector players have been asked to ride on the digital revolution to deliver change in the healthcare sector.
The utilisation of technology, experts say will simplify and make healthcare more affordable and offer personalised solutions.
Speaking at the ''Digital Pulse" - CEO’s Roundtable event in Nairobi, hosted by M-TIBA, they said that data connectivity has the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of patient journeys, treatment paths, and health outcomes.
"By consolidating data points across the healthcare ecosystem, it equips healthcare professionals with the necessary information to enhance patient outcomes, simplify admin, and minimized costs," the statement reads.
Insurance tech industry leaders underscored the pivotal role of data connectivity and collaboration in fostering a seamless healthcare ecosystem.
“With the technology, innovation and capabilities we already have, I firmly believe we can significantly increase insurance uptake from just three per cent through collaboration," said M-Tiba MD Pieter Prickaerts.
"Connected data should be at the heart of everything we do. The direct connection with the individual empowers easy and transparent insights into their health coverage. For insurance companies, the connection with the individual means there is real time customer feedback and real time data insights, enabling them to better serve their customers. Ultimately, translating to easier access of care for individuals.”
He adds that harnessing the power of data leads to a greater, positive impact on a broader spectrum of individuals seeking care, with opportunities continuing to expand.
For instance, enhanced data connectivity and data-driven workflows can expedite the preparation of injectable medication, with a comprehensive understanding of the patient's medical history being paramount.
"Collaboration unlocks a greater potential. By working together we will simplify the healthcare journey, deliver solutions more efficiently, and leverage a more connected network of data and technology."
According to M-TIBA, this is expected to allow all stakeholders unlock opportunities to benefit the patient, without having to reinvent the wheel independently.
According Kanyenje Gakombe, CEO of Metropolitan Hospital, technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) are considered essential tools for overcoming operational challenges and driving growth within the healthcare sector.
"Embracing innovation allows healthcare facilities and insurers to drive smarter processes, enhance efficiency and elevate the overall customer experience."
He added that the convergence of data and connectivity in transforming healthcare delivery is crucial.
"We must explore opportunities for leveraging data, including big data, and connectivity to transform healthcare, aiding precision and predictive medicine," stated Ikechukwu Anoke, CEO of Zuri Health.
He explains that connected data enables healthcare providers to access comprehensive information about patients, including health records, medications, reported symptoms, medical visits, and hospitalizations, providing insights into patients' health journeys and risk factors.
" Data analytics and AI play a vital role in (pre-)identifying at-risk individuals requiring chronic disease management services, leading to improved health outcomes and reduced costs."
On her part, Catherine Bosire, the MD at Wingspan Consultancy, said health insurers may lack expertise in areas such as AI. Therefore, partnerships with specialists in these fields are crucial.
"In preventive healthcare, chronic condition management, and member screening, relying solely on internal capabilities is inadequate," Bosire said.