Free State Health Wins Africa Tech Week Awards 2026 for Electronic Medical Records System

The award honours public institutions that have successfully implemented digital technologies to improve public service delivery, operational efficiency, and citizen experience.

The Free State Department of Health has been recognised as one of Africa's leading public sector innovators after winning the prestigious Africa Tech: Public Sector Digital Innovator Award at the Africa Tech Week Awards 2026 held in Cape Town.

The award honours public institutions that have successfully implemented digital technologies to improve public service delivery, operational efficiency, and citizen experience.

The Free State Department of Health received the accolade for its rollout of an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system for Primary Health Care — a major digital transformation initiative aimed at modernising healthcare delivery across the province.

Electronic Medical Records Driving Healthcare Transformation

According to the department, the EMR system is already significantly improving:

• Patient care

• Continuity of treatment

• Referral management

• Medication management

• Records administration

• Accountability

• Operational efficiency

Officials say the digital platform enables healthcare professionals to access patient information more efficiently while improving coordination across different levels of care.

The department described the award as recognition of the province's growing leadership in digital health innovation and its commitment to strengthening healthcare systems through technology.

"This award affirms the Free State Department of Health's growing leadership in digital health innovation and its commitment to improving healthcare services for communities across the province," the department said.

Digital Healthcare Seen as Critical to Modernising Public Health Services

Health experts increasingly view electronic medical record systems as essential for improving healthcare delivery, particularly in overstretched public health systems.

Paper-based medical systems have historically contributed to:

• Lost patient files

• Delayed treatment

• Poor referral coordination

• Duplication of services

• Inaccurate data collection

• Reduced accountability

The Free State's EMR rollout is intended to address many of these long-standing challenges while laying the foundation for data-driven healthcare management.

The department said the next phase of implementation will focus on expanding and optimising the system further to ensure:

• Improved continuity of care

• Better referral systems

• Stronger medication management

• Enhanced data reliability

• More efficient health facility operations

MEC Says Province Committed to Higher Healthcare Standards

Free State Health MEC Monyatso Mahlatsi said the continental recognition demonstrates the province's determination to improve healthcare outcomes through innovation and technology.

"This accolade is a clear signal that the province is serious about taking health to a higher trajectory of performance outcomes," Mahlatsi said.

"By digitising primary healthcare, we are making care safer, faster and more accountable for every patient."

The MEC added that the department plans to intensify the EMR rollout while strengthening the use of digital systems to improve decision-making and healthcare performance across facilities.

"We will intensify the rollout, strengthen data-driven decision-making, and ensure that digital innovation translates into real improvements at the point of care," he said.

Frontline Healthcare Workers Credited for Success

Head of Department Ernest Mohlahlo credited the achievement to healthcare workers, managers, and technology teams who helped implement the digital transformation programme.

"This recognition belongs to the clinicians, nurses, managers, ICT professionals, and support teams who turned vision into daily practice," Mohlahlo said.

According to him, the EMR system is already delivering measurable operational improvements by:

• Reducing duplication

• Improving continuity of care

• Enhancing coordination between facilities

• Increasing operational efficiency

Next Phase to Focus on Cybersecurity and Connectivity

Mohlahlo said the department's next implementation phase will focus heavily on strengthening:

• Staff training

• Change management

• Connectivity infrastructure

• Cybersecurity protections

• System interoperability

He stressed that digital transformation must ultimately improve patient experience and healthcare outcomes at every facility across the province.

"Our next phase will deepen training, change management, connectivity, cybersecurity, and interoperability so that measurable improvements in access, quality, and patient experience are felt in every facility," he said.

"We are committed to disciplined execution and transparent performance monitoring."

Digital Health Becoming Central to African Healthcare Reform

The award comes amid growing efforts across Africa to modernise public healthcare systems using digital technologies.

Governments and healthcare institutions increasingly view digital health systems as essential tools for:

• Expanding healthcare access

• Improving patient outcomes

• Strengthening disease surveillance

• Enhancing healthcare efficiency

• Supporting evidence-based policy decisions

South Africa's public healthcare sector has been under increasing pressure to modernise systems amid rising patient volumes, infrastructure constraints, and growing demand for efficient healthcare delivery.

Analysts say successful implementation of digital healthcare systems at provincial level could become an important model for broader healthcare reform nationally.

The recognition at Africa Tech Week also highlights the growing role of African public institutions in driving homegrown digital innovation capable of addressing major development challenges.