Digital Health Integration

What role do digital tools play in achieving SDG health targets? Digital health integration is key in the transition towards integrated healthcare. This approach paves the way for advancements in healthcare systems.

In the Kingdom of Bahrain, every citizen is constitutionally entitled to healthcare that is both decent and free. Central to this commitment is the National Health Information System (I-SEHA), an ambitious project spearheaded by the Ministry of Health. This system is designed to provide high-quality, regulated, and comprehensive health services that are accessible, sustainable, and affordable for all Bahraini citizens.

Integral to the Ministry of Health's ICT strategy, the I-SEHA program harnesses technology to enhance healthcare outcomes and elevate patient experiences. A pivotal component of I-SEHA is the electronic health record (EHR) system, enabling healthcare providers to access patient records and medical histories online for more accurate and efficient patient care. Additionally, patients have secure online access to their health records, fostering a more engaged and informed approach to their healthcare.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahrain notably expanded into telemedicine and remote consultations. The BeAware mobile app and integrated framework united all stakeholders within a single system. The Sehati portal was launched, allowing a wide range of medical eServices including remote consultations with healthcare providers. Chatbots were also employed to offer medical advice and respond to patient inquiries. Sehati mobile App also is another user-friendly channel to avail of health eServices such as Appointments, Medical Results, Athletic Fitness certificates, and many more.

The National Health Insurance Program (Sehati) was launched by the Supreme Council of Health as part of the National Health Plan 2016 - 2026. The program aims to provide effective and high-quality health services with efficient resource utilization to achieve the best results and to guarantee the rights of the patient, most importantly their right to choose the service provider and provide opportunities for the private sector to provide basic and complementary services as a competitor to the public sector.

The Bahrain Digital Government has initiated the Digital Health Integration System (DHIS), aiming to create a unified health data platform. This initiative will facilitate data sharing among various government agencies and healthcare providers, thereby enhancing patient care quality.

The DHIS, a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA), is slated for completion in 2024. Its benefits include:

• Better Healthcare: It will make patient data sharing easier, leading to improved disease diagnosis and treatment.
• More Efficient: Removing the need for entering the same data multiple times will make healthcare processes faster.
• Cost Savings: The system will help save money by managing healthcare resources more effectively.
• Pre- Employment Health Checkup

The pre-employment health checkup represents a significant measure for safeguarding worker health and safety in Bahrain. Initiated as a collaborative Public-Private Partnership, this process aims to enhance service quality and efficiency. Its primary function is to detect health risks that might impact an employee's capacity to work safely while also curbing the transmission of infectious diseases in workplaces.

Mandatory guidelines for pre-employment health screenings in Bahrain include:

• All employers are obligated to carry out pre-employment health screenings for their staff.
• The check-up must include tests for HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and tuberculosis.
• Employers are responsible for covering the cost of these checkups.
• The check-up must be conducted by a qualified medical practitioner.
• Outcomes of the checkups are required to be submitted to the Ministry of Health for approval.

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