Government needs several systems in place to implement the National Health Insurance (NHI), which is aimed at providing universal health coverage.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), an entity of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), is supporting the implementation of the NHI by developing some of the technology required.
The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, recently hosted President Cyril Ramaphosa at the CSIR.
The President toured various facilities and was given information and demonstrations on several aspects of the CSIR’s work. These included the development of systems to support the NHI, which the President found impressive.
Matthew Chetty, a trailblazer in digital transformation and the CSIR’s Impact Area Manager for e-Government, briefed the President about the CSIR’s efforts to modernise South Africa’s public sector through the development of smart, integrated digital systems, particularly in the vital arena of healthcare.
Chetty presented the work done to support the national Department of Health, which will lay the digital foundation for the NHI, explaining that the systems developed were “not just systems,“ but “national digital assets that will support the future of healthcare in this country”.
One of the core systems displayed was the Health Patient Registration System, which enables the accurate and consistent registration of patients across all public health facilities.
By creating a unified digital identity for each beneficiary, the system ensures the continuity of care and strengthens data-driven decision-making.
Another vital system to which the CSIR contributed is the Electronic Vaccine Data System, which played a central role in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination campaign.
The system facilitated the real-time scheduling and tracking of millions of vaccine doses, proving that large-scale digital health solutions are both feasible and effective in South Africa.
The National Electronic Health Record System revolutionises how patient information is stored, accessed and shared across the healthcare network, facilitating the seamless and secure flow of person-centred healthcare information across institutional and provincial boundaries.
“These systems are critically important in the context of our health environment, especially as we transition towards NHI,“ explained Chetty.
He believes that the CSIR’s role is to support the State in building robust, secure and scalable systems that make a real difference in people’s lives.
“We are not just developing software; we are helping to shape a health system that is future-ready, citizen-focused, and built on trust.
“It is essential for government leaders, including the President, to understand the progress we’ve made and the strategic role the CSIR plays in enabling these digital solutions.“
Chetty and his team, driven by the belief that technology should serve people, enhance service delivery, ensure accessibility and promote equity, are committed to building a digitally empowered public sector, not only in the health sphere.
The CSIR’s e-government initiatives are not only intended to meet current challenges, but also to anticipate future needs, moving South Africa towards an era in which technology, governance and service delivery converge to create meaningful change. – SAnews.gov.za
