The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) has commissioned a Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), which is expected to revolutionise the way in which radiological, imaging, and X-ray services are provided in the public health sector.

The M$25 million tender has been awarded to Uni Medical Supplies.

Health Minister Dr. Kalumbi Shangula says as the country looks towards capitalising on the 4th Industrial Revolution, it becomes necessary for the Ministry to keep abreast of evolving digital technologies in the healthcare space in order to accomplish this mission.

The mission is to provide integrated, affordable, accessible, and quality health care and social services that are responsive to the needs of the population in Namibia, and the project will be used at the Windhoek Central, Katutura, Oshakati, Onandjokwe, and Rundu hospitals.

With this project, the five hospitals will, among other things, share medical images, keep data, provide x-ray results faster, and detect diseases quickly.

"For many years, the Ministry has relied on outdated technologies that are inefficient, time-consuming, and costly to operate and manage. It is for this reason that the Ministry took a deliberate decision to procure modern, state-of-the-art equipment to improve service delivery. This new system will not only create operational efficiencies within the provision of radiological services at these five hospitals but will also open up a world of possibilities through the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as three-dimensional imaging and the application of artificial intelligence," said Dr. Shangula.

Through the system, all the radiological data and imagery doctors need can be viewed digitally almost immediately, meaning a doctor in Windhoek can diagnose a patient in Rundu without having to travel there, says Shangula.

Four out of the five hospitals are now equipped with Fujifilm's system, an artificial intelligence platform that offers breast and chest abnormality detection.

Through the use of artificial intelligence, the system can examine patients' radiological imagery to flag abnormalities for radiologists to inspect further.

The Managing Director of Fujifilm Middle East and South Africa, Michio Kondo, says the system will eradicate the couriering system of images within the five healthcare facilities.