A continental workshop aimed at digitalizing primary healthcare services in Africa has commenced today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Health Minister Dr. Mekdes Daba stated during the opening ceremony that digital technology is a vital tool for modernizing the health system and making quality services accessible to all. To achieve this continental vision, the draft “Primary Health Care (PHC) Digitalization Framework,” developed by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) in collaboration with technical teams and partners, is being reviewed in Addis Ababa.
Dr. Mekdes noted that the framework paves the way for the continent to build a digital health ecosystem that ensures integration, transparency, and data driven decision making instead of fragmented digital applications.
Africa CDC Director General Dr. Jean Kaseya, stated that Africa is undertaking strategic activities to move away from dependency and determine its own health destiny, confirming that Ethiopia is an exemplary model for this historic transition.
The Director General pointed out that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s appointment as the African Champion for Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has great significance for the continent.
The prime minister indicated that they are working with commitment to achieve the clear vision of connecting 90 percent of African health facilities through digital technology by 2035.
The main objective of the workshop is for experts gathered from across the continent to deeply evaluate the presented framework and prepare a sustainable document that can be practically implemented and integrated.
The framework to be approved at the conclusion of the discussion will serve as a guide for primary health facilities across Africa to achieve better health outcomes through technology. It was noted that this will have a high contribution to the journey of creating a healthy continent by building a strong health system.
