IICD Partner Close the Gap Visits Hospital in Tanzania

The Close the Gap Foundation donates refurbished computers to IICD partners and, if needed, provides them with training on technical maintenance. Together with a group of their strategic partners, Close the Gap visited several project sites that received refurbished computers, including the IICD-supported St Elisabeth Hospital. There, the computers are used in a hospital information system. The system makes it possible to create an easy to use financial management system and a system where patient data can be stored digitally.

 

The Close the Gap delegation saw the computers installed in the facility in different points of service delivery like registration, billing, laboratory, in wards, pharmacy and accounts,” says Pauline Kimollo, of the Health department ICT Unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Tanzania (ELCT) that runs the hospital. "The delegation showed great excitement, enthusiasm and interest. They have even mentioned that they can maintain a relationship with us through IICD, and promised to continue providing support of computers to the project."

 

IICD has been supporting ELCT since 2006 to implement a hospital information system in hospitals and other health care facilities owned by ELCT. Pauline Kimollo is very enthusiastic about how the management system has been used so far. “The use of information and communication technology has improved the health care delivery in our health facilities. Accurate and reliable data are now available. This improves the management decision making and helps us make well informed decisions." Another important aspect is patient information confidentiality, says Kimollo. “Because the information about patients is now stored and sent electronically, patients no longer have to carry their own files or slips to the laboratory, radiology or anywhere else.” 

 

Another advantage is better financial management and control. Kimollo: “Through the system, the hospital management can keep track of the financial flow at the billing point. This has reduced a lot of corruption and reducing people generating the private income using hospital resources.”