For decades, millions of Kenyans have walked through the gates of Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) seeking hope, healing and specialised care.
As the country’s largest referral and teaching hospital, it carries an enormous responsibility. Yet for the 125 years the hospital has been in existence, many of its processes have remained paper-based.
Patients have relied on manual files, physical movement between service points and systems designed for a different era. Even though these processes served the institution for many years, they are no longer compatible with the demands of a modern healthcare system.
Healthcare today depends on speed, coordination, accuracy and real-time access to information. In a busy referral hospital setup, delays in retrieving records, fragmented communication between departments and manual billing processes can directly affect patient experience and operational efficiency.
This is why the digitisation journey at KNH matters. The hospital, in partnership with the Digital Health Authority, has developed an integrated health information system known as the Afya Apex/ERP System.
The system provides a platform that enables end-to-end digital management of clinical workflows while seamlessly integrating with enterprise resource planning systems. It connects patient care, administrative functions and financial processes into one coordinated digital ecosystem.
Importantly, the system has been developed with direct input from KNH staff, including nurses, consultants, clinicians and other specialists, ensuring it reflects real clinical workflows and operational needs.
The rollout began on April 15 and is expected to be completed within 90 days. As with any large-scale transformation, early challenges were experienced. These have since been addressed, and the system continues to stabilise as deployment progresses. Hospital operations have remained active throughout the transition period, with patient care and safety prioritised.
When fully implemented, Afya Apex/ERP will significantly improve efficiency, transparency, accountability and coordination across the hospital.
Clinicians will have faster access to patient information, administrative processes will be streamlined and patients will experience more timely and organised services. KNH will also be better positioned to operate at the level of other leading digitised hospitals across Africa.
If successful, the Afya Apex/ERP model is expected to be adopted by other Level 5 and 6 hospitals nationwide, strengthening Kenya’s public healthcare system.
Ultimately, KNH’s digital leap is about building a smarter, safer and more responsive health system, one that aligns with the realities of modern medicine and improves the experience of every patient who walks through its doors.
