Kenya’s health management software ZiDi bags ICT innovation award

Kenya’s ICT Authority has named health management software ZiDi as a 2014 Innovation Award Winner in the Health Care Delivery sector. ZiDi is a monitor service that automates a range of things like stocktaking, personnel administration, financial management and service delivery in health centers.

The application is developed by MicroClinic Technologies with support from Microsoft’s 4Afrika initiative. The software has been implemented and is being trailed in six health centers across Kenya which together sees over 3 000 patients daily.

ZiDi was founded by Hoffman Moka Lantum and Mary Matu in 2012 with the aim of tackling the administrative burdens faced by medical staff working at health care institutions.

“ZiDi is trying to transform and bridge the digital divide in the health sector at a very fundamental level using the opportunity technology offers in the health space,” says Matu. By leveraging some of Microsoft’s technologies, ZiDi is able to channel real time secure communication between health centres in different locations, and facilitate scalable access to backed up data.

ZiDi also consolidates data for all Ministry of Health programmes such as those focusing on malaria and tuberculosis. With ZiDi the administration of these programmes can be efficiently collected in real-time and further accountability.

Pointing out ZiDi’s example as relevant local innovation, Microsoft Country Manager for Kenya Kunle Awosika says, “We are excited to work with MicroClinic Technologies to help revolutionize Africa’s health sector through technology to improve lives.”

Although ZiDi is currently being used in public healthcare centres, it is equally as relevant to private health care providers who wish to efficiently manage their patients across multiple health settings and be able to access patient information at any time and from any place.