VICTORIA, Seychelles — More than thirty leaders from the Ministry of Health gathered at the Escale Marina Resort and Spa on Monday for a one day visioning meeting on digital health. The session, opened by Health Minister Peggy Vidot, examined the progress of digital technology in the sector and worked towards a road map for further improvements. The meeting formed part of the National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2026, three years into its implementation, and was developed during the pandemic, considered as a period of uncertainty.
Minister Vidot highlighted the use of technologies in daily life and urged health leaders to redirect their attention to digital health. The minister noted that the sector had communicated with the public through text messages during the COVID-19 pandemic, sharing information on the status of the outbreak and the relevant statistics. Mrs Vidot said the experience had added a lot of fuel to digital health care in the country, and the meeting was an opportunity to set out the next steps for the modernisation programme.
Health Consultant Dr Conrad Shamlaye, one of the key speakers at the event, said the digital system was already available in health care, and the ministry was now working to improve its implementation. He pointed to the Electronic Health Information System (EHIS), which has been operational since the end of 2021, as an example of the progress made so far. The ministry is also working to link the system with laboratories and x ray services, so that doctors can receive results straight to their computers, reducing delays in patient care.
Dr Shamlaye said the benefits of the digital transformation would be felt at the community level, particularly in the way the health service communicates with the public, manages patient records, and shares data between departments. The one day session included presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions on the key components of the Digital Health Roadmap. Speakers shared their perspectives on the strategic vision, goals, and implementation plans for the digital transformation of the healthcare sector.
The ministry is expected to use the outcomes of the meeting to set out a phased implementation plan for the digital health agenda, with the National Health Strategic Plan 2022-2026 providing the broader framework. Officials said the next steps would include further consultations with clinicians, technicians, and patient representatives to ensure the roll out meets the needs of both the workforce and the public. A further update is expected in the coming months as the implementation advances.
