Implementation of a Blockchain based model for Health Information Exchange in Maternal Healthcare

Abstract

Medical facilities in Kenya have adopted Electronic Health Records systems but lack a robust and secure system for sharing sensitive and confidential health records. These efforts do not provide comprehensive data integrity and non-repudiation of patient medical history as the patient seeks care from one provider to another. This situation is even dire and most detrimental to the most vulnerable of citizens, in expectant mothers, children and marginalized groups. These shared electronic health records which includes provision of historical health information, is critical to facilitate making of informed medical decisions. Therefore, a blockchain based solution would reliably address these concerns and result in access to better quality maternal healthcare services in Kenya. The study focused on developing a Blockchain based model for secure Maternal Health Information Exchange. The solution targeted inter health facilities information interchange while ensuring data protection and access to information. The study utilized a mixed method approach entailing design thinking methodology