Key issues shaping future of global health care

By Linnette Leyi

The past five years have seen a sharp increase in Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) across the globe. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74 percent of all deaths globally.

In January of 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 outbreak, a global health emergency, and ever since it has proven to be a growing concern.

These and many other factors, have raised concerns in the health sector and have led to new and emerging trends that have changed how health professionals, stakeholders, and even patients handle healthcare.

Here are some of the issues that are shaping the future of healthcare in 2022, and in years to come.

1. Health Equity

Many Kenyans are faced with challenges accessing quality healthcare due to issues such as gender, income, and geographical location. For example, rural

communities and areas with high poverty rates may have few or no hospitals and medical professionals.

The Universal Health Coverage program, rolled out by former President Uhuru Kenyatta in all 47 counties in February 2022, was expected to increase access to health services in the country. The aim was to enable each Kenyan to exercise their right to accessible, quality, and affordable healthcare.

During the campaign period leading to the 2022 General Elections, we witnessed politicians unveiling manifestos focusing on health as the main agenda. The recently sworn-in government promised free healthcare to ease the burden of medical costs that have impoverished many ordinary Kenyans.

2. Mental Health and Well-being

The Covid-19 pandemic pushed discussions concerning mental health and well-being to the forefront. Although concerns about suicide, depression, and self-harm were growing over the past few years before the global crisis, the challenges caused by the pandemic and lockdown caused a universal mental health crisis.

Mental health problems are considered a social stigma in our part of the world; therefore, people may be reluctant to share their feelings. Stressors like the increasing number of cases and deaths due to Covid-19, prolonged social isolation due to lockdown and social or physical distancing, economic regression and limited access to health care services due to fear of contracting Covid-19 caused more panic, anxiety, and depression among the general public. The interplay of these factors in turn precipitated suicide and self-harm.

Healthcare professionals and mental health advocates championed for timely interventions to promote and protect the mental health of people and strategies to prevent suicide.

3. Artificial Intelligence

Robots have been part of the ever-evolving healthcare sector since the 1980s when the first robot was put into experimental use in a surgical setting. The robotic arm called “Puma” assisted in a delicate neurosurgical biopsy in 1985, which was a complete success.

With time, robot technology developed and artificial intelligence advanced. The machines have since found several uses in the hospital and laboratory settings. Robots are being used in conducting/assisting surgeries, disease detection and treatment, maintaining hospital hygiene, conducting outdoor public hygiene, and carrying out clinical diagnosis and epidemic control.

In January 2021, Kenyatta National Hospital received two of three smart anti-epidemic robots (ROBO- Rafiki) which had been donated by the UNDP in collaboration with the Japan Government to the Ministry of Health.

The robots named “Shujaa” and “Tumaini” were donated to support frontline healthcare workers in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The third one called “Jasiri” was deployed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to fast-track clearance and temperature screening.

In the future, the role of robots could be expanded to include managing the administrative side of hospitals, such as overseeing waiting rooms, organizing appointments, and guiding patients around hospitals. If robots can succeed in these healthcare areas, we will see much more time available for doctors and nurses to deal with matters that require human attention.

4. Telemedicine

Telemedicine is the practice of using technology to deliver care at a distance. A physician in one location uses a telecommunications infrastructure to deliver care to a patient at a distant site.

At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenyatta National Hospital partnered with county referral hospitals through telemedicine. This was actualized through the adoption of the Hub and Spoke model with KNH as the Hub and county referral hospitals as Spokes. A telemedicine center was also launched to enable remote diagnosis and treatment of patients utilizing telecommunication technology. This helped patients by reducing the cost of travel to KNH while they can get the same service in the counties. This also helped strengthen referral systems and enhance capacity building for various healthcare workers.

5. Patient Experience

Patients are naturally demanding better service from their healthcare providers as they now know their rights better, and most of the time they pay for these services. They are hoping to get timely appointments, easy access to information, and good communication with health care providers.

There has therefore been a greater focus on bettering and streamlining the patient experience. Most hospitals now collect and act on feedback from patients on how they feel about their interaction with the healthcare system, doctors, nurses, staff, and other healthcare facilities/ resources. Providers are tailoring care to be more patient-centered based on individual preferences, needs, and values. Evaluating patient experience along with other components such as effectiveness and safety of care is essential to providing a complete picture of healthcare quality.

6. Pandemics and health emergencies preparedness Health has become a global issue, for instance, the Covid-19 pandemic, which made it evident that we are not alone. A disease that pops up on one side of the globe could soon debilitate the global economy. The situation put to the test Kenya’s preparedness and readiness for such emergencies, and the government had to ensure that in the future, such happenings do not cause panic and strain on the economy.