An Analysis of eHealth Adoption and Utilisation in Kerala

Background: Digital transformation in healthcare is gaining momentum globally, with eHealth systems playing a key role in improving service delivery and data integration. Kerala’s eHealth initiative aims to digitalize the state’s public healthcare system by introducing a centralized digital platform to streamline services. Objective: This study aims to determine the extent of eHealth adoption across public healthcare facilities in Kerala and examine its utilisation in service delivery. Methods: A descriptive analysis was conducted using secondary data from the eHealth dashboard and the Directorate of Health Services (DHS). Adoption data from the launch of the program in 2016 to April 2024 were used to assess implementation across districts and facility types. utilisation data, covering May 2023 to April 2024, included outpatient (OPD) visits, inpatient (IP) admissions, laboratory investigations, UHID coverage, and online appointment bookings. Results: As of April 2024, 43.87% of public healthcare facilities in Kerala had adopted the eHealth system. Adoption was highest in Medical Colleges (85.71%) and General Hospitals (70.59%), and lowest in Community Health Centres (11.51%) and Taluk Hospitals (26.14%). During this period, 36.42% of OPD visits and 35.85% of IP admissions were recorded via eHealth. Only 6.7% of lab investigations and 0.87% of OPD visits were processed through online booking. UHID coverage reached 14.89%. Conclusion: While eHealth adoption in Kerala shows promise, key features remain underutilized. Expanding UHID coverage, promoting online services, and strengthening digital infrastructure are essential for realizing the full benefits of healthcare digitalization.