The Ministry of Health has extended by one month the transition period for health facilities moving from the Social Health Authority (SHA) portal to the Health Management Information System (HMIS). The extension affects public Level 5 and Level 6 hospitals, faith-based health facilities and private hospitals that are required to transition to the new system.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the additional month is intended to give the affected facilities more time to complete the migration process and adjust to the HMIS platform. The move is part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen the country’s health information management and streamline the processing of health-related data.
Facilities Given More Time to Complete Transition
Under the new arrangement, health facilities that had been expected to complete the transition within the initial timeline will now have an additional month to finalise the process. The transition involves shifting from the SHA portal to HMIS, a system used to support the collection, management and reporting of health information across the health sector.
The Ministry has been working with healthcare providers as the government continues to implement changes under the country’s new health financing framework. The additional time is expected to allow facilities to address any technical or operational challenges that may arise during the migration.
Ministry Seeks Smooth Adoption of HMIS
The transition to HMIS is part of ongoing efforts to improve how health information is captured and managed. Accurate and timely health data is important in planning healthcare services, monitoring service delivery and supporting decision-making within the health sector.
The Ministry of Health has therefore encouraged the affected facilities to use the extended period to complete the necessary requirements and ensure their systems are ready. The move also comes as the government continues to integrate digital systems into healthcare administration and service delivery.
What the Extension Means for Health Facilities
For public Level 5 and 6 hospitals, faith-based facilities and private hospitals, the one-month extension provides additional time to prepare their systems and personnel for the transition. Facilities are expected to work towards completing the migration within the revised timeline to avoid disruptions associated with incomplete system changes.
The Ministry is also expected to continue providing guidance to healthcare providers during the transition as they adapt to HMIS. The latest extension underscores the government’s effort to allow healthcare facilities adequate time to adjust while implementing changes to the country’s health information systems.
