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The recently concluded OpenMRS Global Implementers Conference 2024 (OMRS24) was a testament to the power of collaboration, technology, and a shared vision for a healthier world. Hosted by Kenya’s Ministry of Health and Palladium, in partnership with Kenya Health Management Information System (Kenya HMIS) and USAID HealthIT, the event brought together over 200 members of the global OpenMRS community at the Argle Grand Hotel in Nairobi from 9th to 13th September 2024. This 15th in-person gathering, and the 3rd to be held in Kenya, showcased the transformative potential of digital health tools in accelerating the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC).
Day 1: Hackathon and KenyaEMR Demonstrations
Day one of OMRS24 launched with energy and innovation with the OMRS24 Hackathon. The hackathon offered a hands-on opportunity for attendees to explore digital health tools, fostering collaboration and innovation within the OpenMRS community. This engaging start set a collaborative tone for the conference.
At the Palladium booth, participants were immersed in hands-on demonstrations led by the Kenya HMIS teams, providing a unique opportunity to explore the features and capabilities of Kenya’s Electronic Medical Records (KenyaEMR) system. Palladium leads the development of the KenyaEMR system, a distribution of the global OpenMRS system in the country. Through various health projects and initiatives, Palladium collaborates with the Kenyan Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to implement and use KenyaEMR across health facilities.
The in-depth demonstrations of KenyaEMR highlighted key features such as Extract, Transform, Load (ETL) processes, data dashboards for facility-level analysis, and modules for stock management and billing. A particular focus was placed on the integration of the Data Warehouse Application Programming Interface (DWAPI), underscoring KenyaEMR’s role in enhancing data-driven decision-making. This vibrant start to the conference showcased the leadership of Palladium and Kenya HMIS in digital health, setting a collaborative tone that carried through the week.
Day 2: Launch of OMRS24
The second day marked the official launch of the OpenMRS Global Implementers Conference by Dr. Ayub Manya, Ag. Director for Policy, Digital Health, and Innovation at the Ministry of Health. This year’s theme, “Leveraging Open Innovation to Accelerate Universal Health Coverage,” encapsulated the conference’s mission: to unite the global health community in harnessing technology for more accessible healthcare.
OpenMRS, which began with the vision of digitizing health service delivery, has evolved into a critical platform now supporting over 2,300 healthcare facilities in Kenya. This system manages comprehensive health services, covering over 90% of antiretroviral therapy (ART) patients in the country. The journey from focusing on HIV care to becoming a comprehensive health records solution is a testament to Kenya’s drive towards universal health coverage.
Palladium’s partnership the Ministry of Health reflects a commitment to sustainable health solutions that adapt and expand to meet evolving healthcare needs.
Day 3: Empowering the Next Generation – Students in Digital Health
Day three’s unconference breakout session brought a unique focus: building a dedicated Student Community of Practice within OpenMRS. Kenya HMIS advocates for student engagement through initiatives like the KenyaHMIS-JKUAT Student Community of Practice, leading efforts to formalize and expand student contributions globally.
Success stories like the Dawa Drop mobile app and other student-led solutions integrated into the KenyaEMR ecosystem showcased the importance of student participation. The proposed student pillar aims to provide consistent pathways for contributions, such as involvement in hackathons, OpenMRS Academy, and participation in virtual tech sessions. This structured approach promises to enrich OpenMRS initiatives and equip students with skills and experiences crucial for their future careers in health technology.
The breakout session also featured insights from Uganda’s OpenMRS community, demonstrating the broader potential of engaging students across Africa. The collaboration between OpenMRS implementers and academia is expected to foster innovation and help cultivate the next generation of digital health professionals.
Lightning Talks – Spotlight on Automated Indicator Reporting
Day three also featured Palladium’s impactful lightning talk on the new Automated Indicator Reporting (AIR) feature in KenyaEMR. This feature addresses traditional challenges in data submission, where facilities previously needed to compile and submit reports manually, leading to inefficiencies and errors.
The AIR tool now enables healthcare facilities to submit data directly to the Kenya Health Information System (KHIS) in real-time, significantly reducing time and resource burdens while enhancing data accuracy. This innovation marks a significant leap forward in health data management, demonstrating how open-source technologies like OpenMRS can streamline national healthcare processes and enable timely public health planning.
Day 4: Real-World Insights – Site Visits to Health Facilities
On day four, OMRS24 participants were given a unique opportunity to witness KenyaEMR in action through guided site visits to healthcare facilities. Led by the Kenya HMIS teams, these visits allowed attendees to explore the implementation of KenyaEMR across various service points, from registration and triaging to consultations in general and HIV specialty clinics.
The recent rollout of KenyaEMR 3.x was a central topic of discussion, particularly the benefits and challenges of scaling the platform across entire facilities. These on-site experiences provided practical insights that underscored the importance of continuous adaptation and feedback in enhancing the effectiveness of digital health systems.
Day 5: Closing Reflections and Commitments to Future Innovation
The final day of OMRS24 celebrated the spirit of community and collaboration that characterized the conference. Reflections on the past week’s discussions emphasized sustainability, inclusivity, and the ongoing commitment to advancing healthcare through open-source solutions. From hackathons and lightning talks to engaging panels, OMRS24 highlighted the power of collective innovation to address the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Carrying Forward the OMRS24 Momentum
Palladium remains committed to advancing digital health solutions, and OMRS24 demonstrated the transformative potential of technology when backed by a passionate and collaborative community. Kenya HMIS will continue collaborating with global partners, students, and healthcare providers to drive innovation and expand the reach of healthcare services through open, adaptable, and sustainable systems.
OMRS24 may have concluded, but the journey of innovation and collaboration continues. Together, we will keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in open-source healthcare, ensuring that the progress made benefits not only Kenya but the global community at large.
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