The healthcare industry in South Africa is in a state of flux, not least because of the introduction of the much-derided national health insurance (NHI) law. Technology can, however, play a big role in helping address the myriad complex issues facing the sector.

That’s the view of Henry Adams, country manager at InterSystems South Africa and an expert on the healthcare industry, who was speaking recently in an interview with TechCentral’s TCS+ business technology talk show. Watch or listen to the episode below.

In the episode, Adams succinctly unpacks:

• The role played by InterSystems in the local healthcare industry, including the company’s background and focus areas;

• The lack of integration of healthcare systems in South Africa, the role of electronic medical records, and why no national health insurance scheme can possibly work without addressing interoperability;

• What impact the NHI will have on the sector;

• The role of electronic medical records and why they are key to any reform of South Africa’s healthcare industry – plus, what’s the best way of protecting these records and ensuring compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act;

• What a fully integrated system for healthcare providers and their patients might look like and what it would take to build it;

• The guidelines and legislative support needed to bridge the gap between government and the healthcare industry; and

• The role InterSystems believes it can play in helping address some of the challenges facing South Africa’s healthcare industry.

Visit InterSystems South Africa’s website for more information – and be sure not to miss a fascinating discussion that affects all South Africans. TechCentral