Garissa health workers equipped with tablets to drive digital transformation

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama and MPs from Garissa holding the tablets./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Garissa Governor Nathif Jama holding the tablets./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale flags off the caravan./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Health facilities in Garissa County have received a major boost in Kenya’s ongoing push for digital healthcare, with the distribution of over 1,000 tablets to frontline workers across seven sub-counties.

The Ministry of Health, in partnership with the Garissa County Government, issued 1,011 tablets on Wednesday to support the national digitisation of the TaifaCare programme.

The devices are intended for use in public health facilities to improve service delivery under the Social Health Authority (SHA) onboarding and Digital Health Transformation initiative.

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale led the rollout during the launch of SHA member registration, calling the programme a bold step toward ensuring universal, affordable, and accessible healthcare for all Kenyans.

“These tablets will go a long way in making sure no one is left behind,” said Duale. “Today, we are not just switching on devices—we are activating a new era in health service delivery.”

The tablets come preloaded with specialised health apps linked to the TaifaCare platform, enabling real-time data collection, treatment tracking, and patient referrals.

According to Duale, the technology will empower health workers, improve transparency, and ensure accountability across the healthcare system.

Garissa, however, is still lagging in SHA registration. As of this week, only 150,468 people have enrolled in the county.

Duale singled out Fafi, Ijara, and Dadaab constituencies for particularly low sign-up numbers and urged chiefs and local officials to take the lead in encouraging registration.

To address affordability concerns, Duale highlighted Lipa SHA Pole Pole—a flexible payment plan that allows contributions to be made in small instalments. With support from the Hustler Fund, eligible Kenyans can activate cover immediately and repay over time with zero interest.

“Your health cannot wait—and neither should your cover,” he said.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama welcomed the initiative, calling it a “game-changer” for the region.

“Our health workers are now better equipped to deliver timely and effective care,” said Jama. “Integration into the national digital system means better coordination and efficiency, driven by real-time data.”

SHA CEO Dr. Mercy Mwangangi noted that the initiative is central to the Ministry’s Digital Health Transformation Agenda.

The goal, she said, is to create an interconnected health system where patient data can move securely across all levels of care.

“SHA is about ensuring that no Kenyan is denied healthcare because of where they live or how much they earn,” said Dr. Mwangangi. “What we’re doing in Garissa today is a reflection of our commitment to equity and access.”

The rollout also includes a countywide registration drive led by community health teams and health promoters. Out of 246 health facilities in Garissa, 175 are already connected to the national Provider Portal.

Acting CEO of the Digital Health Agency, Eng. Anthony Lenaiyara, said the tablets will do more than support SHA signups. They’ll enable health workers to access patient records, streamline referrals, and improve treatment outcomes.

To ensure the programme's sustainability, the Ministry has partnered with Safaricom for device tracking and quick replacements in case of loss or damage.

With this latest push, Garissa joins a growing list of counties advancing Kenya’s Digital Health Superhighway—a key step toward achieving full SHA coverage nationwide by the end of 202