New Technologies Cut Patient Waiting Times

Kenya is deploying cutting-edge digital health systems that are helping reduce patient wait times and improve efficiency across hospitals. The Ministry of Health has rolled out its Comprehensive Integrated Health Information System (CIHIS) in several counties, enabling real-time sharing of patient data via the Health Information Exchange (HIE). According to CS Aden Duale, this system eliminates paper records and tracks patient-provider interactions digitally, speeding up service delivery and reducing bureaucratic delays.
In Kiambu County, for example, hospitals have introduced a fully digitized Hospital Information Management System (HIMS). This includes automated appointment scheduling, digital diagnostic equipment, and instant upload of imaging results (e.g., X-rays and ultrasounds) to patients’ electronic records — cutting down on diagnostic waiting times dramatically.
At Lifecare Hospitals, a private chain, a smart queue-management system built by Q-SYS has been implemented. Through kiosks, patients pick up digital tokens that route them to the next available service counter (such as insured, cash, or general).The system also provides real-time analytics to administrators, helping them balance patient loads and respond dynamically — which has significantly reduced both wait times and patient bottlenecks.
Further, counties like Nandi and Kirinyaga are digitizing their community and facility-level workflows using electronic health record (EHR) systems, tablets, and mobile tools. The electronic system allows faster access to patient history, smoother referrals, and more efficient resource allocation — all of which contribute to reducing the time patients spend queueing or waiting for care.
These digital health investments are part of Kenya’s broader Universal Health Coverage (UHC) reforms. By digitizing records, streamlining patient flow, and automating admin and clinical processes, hospitals are not only cutting wait times but also boosting transparency and accountability in service delivery.