The East African Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on Digital Health Innovation and Governance (ADEGA) which, among other things, seeks to provide strategic governance and oversight in digital health innovations and governance in the region, has been launched.
Its launch took place during a two-day EAC Regional Inter-Parliamentary Forum on Health, Population, and Development which was held from December 20 to 21, in Kigali.
According to a press release issued by the East African Community (EAC) on December, 21, the aforementioned Alliance – ADEGA – will seek to support, whenever possible, the efficient translation of findings presented into policies, and, ultimately support the passage of relevant laws and resolutions.
ADEGA will also sensitise the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and National Assemblies’ Members [of EAC Partner States] on ongoing and future planned digital health initiatives for EAC and similar initiatives for the African Union — to build consensus through the African Common Position that is part of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC)’s digital transformation flagship projects, the press release indicated.
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In a speech read on his behalf by EAC Director of Social Sectors, Irene Isaka, during the opening session of the event, the EAC Secretary General, Peter Mathuki, said that due to the high number of emerging and re-emerging health challenges around the EAC region, Partner States and Development Partners ought to find greater value in increasing the financial support for the health sector to finance digital interventions that enhance regional cooperation towards EAC integration.
Mathuki observed that strong digital systems are the key to successful health programmes in the region as the world becomes more technologically advanced.
To fully realise the benefits of the digital transformation, Mathuki said, it is essential for EAC Partner States to establish robust and effective governance frameworks for the health data that is being shared to manage risks and safeguard citizens’ rights.
He informed the meeting that since 2013, the EAC Secretariat through the EAC health department has been implementing different digital health systems that have provided linkages and interoperability with counterpart systems in the Partner States.
He cited the development of the EAC Regional Digital Health Initiative which is meant to promote research and development (R&D) and capacity-building in digital technologies, as well as EAC regional digital innovations that provide a platform for getting evidence-based information for planning and policy guidance, as some of the health systems interventions implemented by the EAC Secretariat.
"I am happy to inform you that we have registered several achievements under digital health in EAC. The achievements made include but are not limited to the EAC Regional Health Scorecard and the digital system for facilitating Pooled Procurement of Health Commodities (pharmaceuticals) in the region. Most of these digital health initiatives are data-intensive,” Mathuki said.
The Secretary General urged the national and regional legislatures through the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance to work together and provide timely and informed policy and legal guidance on the EAC regional health sector, as the region is digitalising almost all clinical and public processes as well as cross-border data-sharing and big data warehousing and analytics.
On his part, Kennedy Mukulia, Chairperson of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) General Purpose Committee, said that as the region embarks on digital transformation, it is vital to recognise the power of digital health technologies from telemedicine and mobile health applications to health information systems and electronic medical records.
Mukulia disclosed that the Inter-Parliamentary forum will play a pivotal role in advancing legislative agendas that promote the responsible deployment of digital health solutions, safeguard data privacy and security, and uphold ethical standards in healthcare delivery.
"As legislators, it is incumbent upon us to have a deep understanding of the complexities and implications of digital health technologies, so that we can effectively contribute to shaping policies that align with the best interests of our constituents,” Mukulia said.
The legislator urged all stakeholders across the EAC to collaborate in sharing best practices, exchanging knowledge, and harmonising regulatory frameworks.