Sehatmandi app connects 189 remote facilities for real-time care
A new qualitative study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research highlights the operational impact of the Sehatmandi digital health intervention in Afghanistan. Designed to bridge the gap in healthcare delivery across conflict-affected regions, the app has successfully connected 189 diverse health facilities, ranging from comprehensive health centers to smaller sub-centers. The platform enables real-time data submission, allowing for immediate monitoring of pharmaceutical stocks, patient service delivery, and staff attendance. This transition from paper-based reporting to digital logs has significantly improved transparency and accountability in a notoriously difficult operating environment.
However, the implementation has not been without significant structural hurdles. The study reveals that while the app streamlined data flow, frontline workers faced persistent challenges including unstable internet connectivity, frequent electricity outages, and varying levels of digital literacy among staff. Furthermore, security concerns regarding the physical safety of the devices and data privacy remained prevalent. The researchers conclude that for such interventions to be sustainable in fragile states, technical deployment must be accompanied by robust infrastructure support, continuous training, and offline capabilities to ensure continuity of care when connectivity fails.
Read the original article at: https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e74923
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