Gauteng dumps paper records forever!

GAUTENG hospitals are ditching paper files forever as millions of patient records go digital.

The groundbreaking project started at Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto and will see patient files stored on computers instead of filing cabinets.

The Gauteng Department of Health said the move aims to replace paper-based records with a secure, accessible and efficient digital system.

It's planning to capture at least 800 million records across 37 hospitals in Gauteng over the next 36 months.

The ambitious project began with trials at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital. It aims to significantly improve patient care, cut operational costs and boost data security.

Using cloud technology, the new eHealth system will centralise patient information, making it more efficient and accurate.

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Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko highlighted key benefits, including reduced waiting times, better management of maternity services, improved chronic care management and a more coordinated approach to mental health services.

"This project isn't a standalone act of modernisation, it forms part of our broader Digital Health Transformation Strategy which aligns with global health imperatives," said the MEC.

Beyond patient benefits, the project has already provided employment and training to 100 young people from local communities.

The digitalisation builds on the GDoH's existing Health Information System (HIS), which is working towards a "one-patient-one-file" model and is already operational in various capacities across Gauteng's health facilities.