Seychelles (Commonwealth Union)_ Seychelles healthcare system has received a substantial boost through a collaborative initiative between the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health (CWCDH), and the World Health Organization (WHO). With the increasing significance of digital technologies in healthcare, Seychelles is now among the nations leveraging the digital health maturity assessment tool, developed as a resource in this partnership. This tool facilitates the evaluation and acceleration of the country’s progression towards digitalizing its health services, enabling health officials in the Seychelles to gauge the use of digital technologies in healthcare and strategize to bridge any existing gaps, a process termed “Digital Health Maturity Assessment.”
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During a recent 4-day workshop in Mahé, senior health officials, digital health experts, Commonwealth representatives, and global partners emphasized the importance of conducting such assessments. Minister of Health Hon Peggy Vidot highlighted the transformative potential of integrating digital health solutions into Seychelles’ healthcare system, emphasizing the need to measure progress through evidence-based tools. She underscored the collaborative effort required among the government, healthcare providers, technology partners, and active citizen participation for this journey.
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The minister stated, “In this era marked by rapid technological progress, the integration of digital health solutions emerges as a critical imperative. Seychelles embarks on a transformative journey, leveraging the power of digital innovation to fortify our healthcare system. Our ability to measure progress in the digital transformation of our sector is paramount, as what we cannot measure, we cannot improve. To this end, we will employ evidence-based tools to gauge our digital maturity. It is a journey that necessitates collaboration between the government, healthcare providers, technology partners, and active participation from our citizens.”
Dr. Rex Mpazanje, WHO’s Representative to the Seychelles, highlighted the transformative impact of digital healthcare and the prioritization of digital maturity assessment following the adoption of the WHO global digital health strategy by countries, with the Commonwealth Secretariat’s funding being channeled through WHO. He said, “Digital healthcare is probably the most disruptive emerging technology in changing the way healthcare is delivered, managed, and experienced by patients. In 2021, countries through the 71st session of the Regional Committee for Africa adopted the WHO global digital health strategy for 2020–2025 for implementation in the region. Since then, digital maturity assessment has become the prioritized first step, with funding support from the Commonwealth Secretariat being channeled through the World Health Organization.”
Key findings from the assessment indicated Seychelles’ significant advancements in strengthening its digital healthcare systems, including investments in an Electronic Health Information System. This system has integrated digital health platforms into disease surveillance, laboratories, and imaging departments, with efforts focused on protecting citizen health records through collaboration with the Department for Information, Communication, and Technology. Further, Dr. Janneth Mghamba, Health Adviser at the Commonwealth Secretariat, emphasized the commitment to driving digital transformation in healthcare, aiming to use the assessment findings to support the Ministry of Health in formulating strategies and plans while enhancing investments based on practical targets.
The workshop engaged in discussions about Zambia’s healthcare digitization experience and identified cross-cutting priorities for Seychelles’ Ministry of Health and its partners. Recommendations included mapping existing digital solutions into a coherent digital health strategy, establishing feedback systems, adopting network infrastructure standards, and integrating monitoring and evaluation into the implementation process. Looking ahead, the Commonwealth Secretariat, in collaboration with WHO and CWCDH, will develop a summary report and offer ongoing support and technical assistance to Seychelles’ Ministry of Health in furthering its digital health initiatives. These efforts align with the commitments made by Commonwealth Health Ministers to achieve Universal Health Coverage in the Commonwealth by 2030, reflecting the outcomes and goals of the recent workshop.
