One of the key components of the NHI is the establishment of
a comprehensive electronic health record (EHR) system, which would enable the exchange of health information among different healthcare providers. This would allow healthcare providers to access a patient’s complete medical history, even if the patient has received care from multiple providers or at different locations.
HIE, which includes a rich EHR in the form of its UCR for each patient, has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system, as well as the quality of care that patients receive. Overall, the use of HIE as part of South Africa’s NHI would help to achieve the goal of universal healthcare coverage by improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system.
