With the advent of modern technologies in healthcare, traditional healthcare provision models are being augmented with newer, innovative, and effective tech-based models that are currently enhancing healthcare provision.

Founded in 2019, blockchain-powered AfyaRekod is a health data platform that allows patients to capture, store and control their medical records, and access to health resources. It also affords doctors and healthcare providers access to hospital records for provision of better quality healthcare.

This digital healthcare platform is designed to provide comprehensive and personalized healthcare to people and communities, with a keen focus on preventative care and early detection of health issues.

Where AI and Blockchain Meet

It is a platform that intertwines blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI) to provide more secure, transparent and immutable way to store and share health data between parties.

AfyaRekod is essentially a medical data storage platform that allows patients to store their health records, the medication they take as well as keep journals of their statuses and that of their families, John Kamara, its founder and CEO tells Nodo News. The platform is AI driven and uses various AI modules to help detect abnormalities, early outbreaks and monitor mobility and evolution of diseases through its timely data analytics.

Using machine-learning algorithms, it is able to analyze health data and provide personalized health recommendations to individuals, helping them track their health metrics including blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and providing feedback in real time, as well as guidance to help them manage these conditions.

AfyaRekod runs on a decentralized IT system that allows one to create a digital health record, which incorporates data on their medical history, allergies, medications, and other crucial health information, all which is stored securely on the blockchain.

Protecting Patient Data is Key

Health data is very sensitive, so the platform keeps it private to the owner. It can only be accessed by healthcare providers upon request. This gives patients complete control and protection over their health information.

In July 2022, the startup went a notch higher when it launched a fully automated Universal Patient Portal, which is a first of its kind built on blockchain technology in Kenya. The system has more than 150,000 users in Kenya.

“We identified the capture and storage of accurate data across every possible level of infrastructure as a core problem. And bringing real time access to data was the solution,” remarks Kamara. “Our tool now allows patients to create a portal with all their health data and most importantly gives patients sovereign rights of ownership of their data. The patient logs in and sees all the information from the hospital without asking the hospital or begging for it. It’s their right to have access to it.”

Several other features are gradually being introduced into this platform, including a telemedicine feature, which allows people to remotely connect with their healthcare provider. This is especially handy in rural areas where there is usually limited access to healthcare.

With the growing issue of fake and counterfeit medications, which is a significant threat to Africa’s healthcare systems, AfyaRekod has introduced a feature that enables the verification of the authenticity of medications by scanning a unique QR code on the packaging.

Ultimately, the startup wants to create medical accountability in Kenya, and improve the efficiency of healthcare delivery.