By: Felix Ikpotor
In an effort to make healthcare management system seemless in the state, the Rivers State Government through the State Ministry of Health has launched two digital services, The Rivers State Health Regulatory System (RIVHEALTH-REG) and the Hospital Management Information System (Riv-MEDIXTRAK) to be used in hospitals in the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, while launching the services in her office in Port Harcourt, said they align with Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s healthcare policy for the state.
“I am honoured today to officially launch an important milestone in our journey towards implementing the mandate of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara to significantly enhance healthcare delivery and experience for the attainment of Universal Health Coverage in Rivers State.
” Today, we introduce to the citizens home and
abroad, two innovative digital services that speak to 2 of the 7 pillars of the Health4All Rivers Strategy; Health Information Systems/Data Management and Health Systems Leadership and Governance which set the stage for transformative changes informed by evidence, and responsible and responsive leadership to greatly improve the standards and quality of health care every citizen consumes from every legitimate provider of healthcare services anywhere across our dear State,” she said.
Dr Oreh explained that the services have been tested in select facilities in the state and are now set for scale up.
“We had piloted the use of this technology in select
healthcare facilities and are now ready to gradually scale up to maximize the benefits of deploying technology to improve clinical management, population health planning and regulation, ultimately translating to better service delivery in the health sector across the state”, she stated.
Explaining further, the commissioner said RIVHEALTH-REG is a macro-level governance tool for regulation of standards of care across healthcare facilities in the State.
” RIVHEALTH-REG introduces technology
and automation to the health care facilities’ registration
process stewarded by the Rivers State Ministry of Health and
will greatly enhance efficiency, transparency, accountability in the process of oversight over providers of healthcare services to Rivers people in Rivers State.
“Key features of this service which will now enable proprietors of health facilities fulfil statutory responsibilities remotely include regulation, monitoring and compliance with established guidelines and standards, licensing, verification and authentication of healthcare providers, and improved communication channels,” she added.
On the Hospitals Management Information Systems (Riv-MEDIXTRAK), Dr Oreh stated that service which is for both private and public hospitals in the state would manage the hospital’s service delivery and administration systems.
“Riv-Medixtrak is a customized digital system that manages hospital service delivery functions and entire administration systems.
” Key benefits includes; digital patient and case management record keeping for improved patient care and reduced errors, operational efficiency by automation of routine functions and resource management for improved outputs and planning,” she explained.
The State Health Commissioner emphasized that the digital services would entrench greater accountability among public and private providers of health services.
“The services launched today are very important governance toolswith which this administration, as steward of the health and wellbeing of people living in Rivers State, will entrench greater and more effective accountability among public and private providers of health services at all levels and catalyze the strengthening of a resilient and responsive health care delivery system for all in Rivers State,” Oreh said.
While thanking all stakeholders who have contributed
to making the vision a reality, Dr Oreh noted that they represent Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s commitment to providing Rivers citizens with the best healthcare possible, urging people of the state to embrace the new innovations.
