New Platform to Create Unique Medical Identity for Every Child, Improve Immunization Tracking, Reduce Fraud and Enable Faster Access to Health Records Nationwide.
NAIROBI, Kenya – The Government has announced the rollout of a new biometric registration system for children, a move aimed at transforming healthcare delivery by creating a secure digital identity linked to every minor’s medical history.
The new system, unveiled by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, will establish a unique connection between each child and their health records, allowing healthcare providers across the country to access critical medical information regardless of where treatment is sought.
According to the Ministry of Health, the digital platform is expected to address long-standing challenges in healthcare management, including duplicate registrations, patient misidentification, incomplete medical histories and delays caused by manual record-keeping.
CS Duale said the biometric system will ensure that every child’s medical information, including immunization records, treatment history and previous healthcare interactions, is securely stored and accessible through approved health facilities.
“We are establishing a secure link for each child to their health record, eliminating duplicate registrations and misidentification,” Duale said.
“A child’s medical history, immunization logs, and treatment records will be accessible at any SHA facility nationwide, allowing medical workers to make faster, informed clinical decisions.”
Strengthening Child Healthcare Through Digital Records
The Ministry of Health said the biometric system will play a critical role in improving continuity of care, particularly for children who move between different healthcare facilities.
By providing healthcare workers with accurate and up-to-date patient information, the system is expected to support better diagnosis, improved treatment decisions and more effective monitoring of childhood immunization programmes.
The government also believes the technology will strengthen accountability within the health sector by reducing fraudulent claims and ensuring that healthcare resources reach genuine beneficiaries.
“Biometric verification enhances institutional security, significantly reducing benefit misuse and ensuring resources go to legitimate beneficiaries,” CS Duale stated.
Reducing Hospital Delays and Improving Service Delivery
Beyond patient identification, the new digital platform is expected to simplify administrative processes in healthcare facilities by reducing dependence on paperwork.
The Ministry said the system will help shorten patient registration times, allowing medical professionals to dedicate more attention to clinical care rather than administrative duties.
“This digital system simplifies patient registration, reduces wait times, and allows clinical staff to focus more on patient care instead of paperwork,” Duale added.
The move forms part of the government’s wider digital transformation agenda aimed at creating a more efficient, transparent and accessible healthcare system.
KNH Leads Digital Healthcare Transition
The announcement comes amid broader efforts within Kenya’s healthcare sector to move from manual systems to fully automated service delivery.
Last month, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) announced a major transition towards a fully digital healthcare management system as part of its modernization programme.
KNH Chief Executive Officer Richard Lesiyampe said the hospital was moving away from traditional paper-based processes that had been used for more than a century.
The hospital introduced Afya Apex, a digital platform developed and customised internally by KNH medical and technical teams to match clinical and operational requirements.
According to KNH, the system was designed with input from healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses and specialists, to ensure it supports real hospital workflows.
“For over 125 years of KNH’s existence, patients have relied on outdated paper-based processes. This is no longer compatible with a modern healthcare system,” the hospital said.
Afya Apex Marks New Era for Kenya’s Largest Referral Hospital
KNH said the transition to Afya Apex follows previous attempts to digitise operations, with earlier systems failing to achieve full integration.
The hospital noted that since 2012, it had attempted to implement three different digital platforms, but the current system represents a decisive step towards complete automation.
The rollout began on April 15 and is expected to be completed within 90 days.
While some initial challenges were reported, particularly around discharge procedures, KNH said the issues had been addressed and the system remains operational.
“The system has not collapsed; it remains operational and is stabilising as deployment continues,” KNH stated.
Digital Future for Kenya’s Healthcare System
The introduction of biometric health records for children and the ongoing automation of major healthcare facilities signal a major shift in Kenya’s approach to healthcare management.
The government says digital solutions will improve efficiency, strengthen accountability and enhance access to quality medical services for millions of Kenyans.
For children, the new biometric system is expected to provide a lifelong medical identity, ensuring that essential health information follows them throughout their healthcare journey.
As Kenya continues expanding digital health infrastructure, authorities say the goal remains building a modern healthcare system that is faster, safer and more responsive to the needs of every citizen.
