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The Zambian government has announced plans to digitise at least 1,000 health facilities across the country by the end of the year as part of the Smart Care Project.
Percy Chinyama, the National Coordinator for Smart Zambia, made the announcement during the 1st Quarter media briefing in Lusaka on Tuesday.
“The digitization of health facilities will help to digitalize health records and enable the sharing of personal information between facilities,” Chinyama explained.
He noted that under the Smart Care Project, at least 400 health facilities have already been digitised.
Chinyama also revealed that Zambia had been chosen by the World Bank to lead a national digital identification project, which was set to commence soon.
“Challenges faced include legal issues requiring signatures from multiple stakeholders and power outages. These are being addressed through partnerships and alternative power solutions,” Chinyama highlighted.
He acknowledged the significance of digitization in improving public services and enhancing citizen experiences.
Additionally, Chinyama announced that post offices had been designated as Digital Transformation Centers, providing high-power internet and support services, which would create jobs and promote digital inclusion.
“We have trained staff in post offices who are now providing support services, contributing to job creation and social inclusion,” he stated.
The initiative aims to cover all provinces, ensuring everyone in the country has access to digital services and support.
Chinyama mentioned that the government had advertised for private sector partners and received numerous responses, all accepted to promote economic growth.
“A joint training programme will be launched to equip private sector developers with the necessary skills to contribute to the country’s development agenda,” Chinyama said.
Chinyama stated that localising development would create job opportunities in the sector, increasing the job market and addressing the need for job creation.
“The government has deployed several services on the Government Service Bus (GSB), with a focus on integration and stability rather than just deploying new services,” he said.
He cited examples such as the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.
Under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Smart Zambia will implement the integration for online passport applications.
“The goal is to ensure seamless communication between services and ministries, enhancing efficiency and transparency,” he stated.
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