Five Ways to Achieve Lasting Impact through Digital Health
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Digital Health Week is a time to celebrate how technology transforms public health. At JSI, we know that true transformation must be scalable and enduring. Lasting impact requires strengthening the entire digital ecosystem – from empowering the frontline health worker to reinforcing national governance and policy. This week, we’re highlighting five core approaches that build sustainable, person-centered, and locally owned digital health systems that turn data into life-saving action.
1. Empowering the Frontline with Digital Literacy
Digital solutions must serve the people who deliver care every day. JSI advances digital literacy while equipping community health workers with essential tools, such as the electronic community health information system (eCHIS) platform. This technology lightens workload burden, streamlines reporting, and boosts health worker confidence, directly improving the quality of standardized care delivered to the last mile. Learn more
2. Digitization Enhances Care Experiences, Growing Trust in Health Programs
Digitization improves service quality and enhances client trust in the health system. At a large-volume health center in Ethiopia, JSI linked electronic client records to pharmaceutical product management and insurance/payment systems, resulting in seamless, transparent service from check-in to check-out. This fully interoperable flow eliminated data errors and reduced patient waiting times, enhancing the patient care experience. Learn more
3. Leveraging AI and Emerging Technology
Emerging technology is key to bridging health care gaps, especially in low- and middle-income countries. At JSI, we are leveraging AI for solutions like predictive analytics for real-time outbreak response, and assessing its influence on diagnostics, such as malaria RDT readers. This ensures that new technology drives meaningful, data-driven action where it’s needed most. Learn more
4. Remote Monitoring Can Save Lives and Reduce Costs for National Health Programs
Tanzania moved from reactive repairs to smart investment in its vaccine cold chain. By deploying over 7,000 remote temperature monitoring devices with support from JSI, the Ministry of Health transitioned to predictive maintenance, reducing immediate equipment failure costs and ensuring long-term financial efficiency. Learn more
5. Driving Country Ownership
Sustainable digital transformation starts with sound policy and governance. To combat the uncontrolled spread of digital tools, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Health partnered with JSI to launch the Digital Health Project Inventory. This centralized registry gives the government control over its digital architecture, eliminates costly duplication, and aligns all digital solutions with national strategy and global standards, ensuring genuine country ownership. This level of policy work also ensures data is used effectively, for instance, by promoting data-driven consumption-based forecasting to improve resupply decisions and minimize stock-outs. Learn more
Conclusion
Real digital transformation isn’t about one-off technology drops. It’s about a deep, sustained commitment to governance, investment, and local leadership to support an entire ecosystem of work. JSI works with our partners to ensure these essential digital systems are owned, sustained, and scaled for years to come. Join us in building a future where data works for everyone, everywhere.