This project was a joint initiative between the University of Namibia and the World Health Organisation, commissioned by the Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services to develop a centralised Digital Health Platform. The platform aimed to improve healthcare service delivery by digitising patient records, streamlining clinical workflows, and enabling consistent data management across public health facilities.
The system was built as a web-based MVC application, with a PostgreSQL database and Entity Framework Core used for data access and modelling. I worked as part of the development team, contributing to both frontend and backend components. Git was used for version control and collaboration, with deployment to Microsoft Azure managed through our team’s workflow.
A significant challenge in this project was the lack of standardised approaches to healthcare data interoperability, which complicated integration with other health systems. This highlighted the broader need for scalable and standards-driven architecture in future health tech initiatives.
As the platform was developed for internal use under contract, source code and live access are not publicly available.
This diagram illustrates the core data model that underpinned the Digital Health Platform. It showcases the relationships between key entities such as patient registration, patient visits, and billing, emphasizing the foundational structure we built to ensure data integrity and support complex healthcare workflows. My contribution involved designing and migrating these models to our PostgreSQL database, ensuring seamless data integration and robust functionality across various modules.
To illustrate the practical application of the data model and backend logic, this screenshot provides a glimpse into the Patient Admission and Registration interface. This critical module was central to capturing patient biodata and initial visit information within the Digital Health Platform.
Implementing the data binding logic in C# within our MVC controllers, connecting user interface fields directly to the underlying People, Patients, PersonIdentifiers, and Addresses tables in our PostgreSQL database.
Ensuring robust backend validation and data integrity for every piece of information entered, from "Medication given" to "Next of Kin Contact."
Developing the controller actions that securely processed and stored this sensitive patient information, aligning with the detailed patient flow and ensuring accurate record creation for subsequent visits and billing.
Developing this Digital Health Platform exposed major interoperability challenges due to the absence of standards like FHIR or HL7. Key issues included:
Custom Integrations:
Each health system, such as those at Windhoek Central Hospital, required bespoke solutions. Without standard interfaces, integrations became time-consuming, relying heavily on coordination with healthcare personnel.
Data Inconsistency:
Departments recorded similar patient data in varying formats, making standardisation difficult. Frequent alignment meetings were needed to ensure consistent data interpretation.
Limited Scalability:
The lack of a unified data model made it harder to extend the platform. New features or integrations often meant starting from scratch, slowing down development.
These challenges highlighted the critical role of interoperability standards in building scalable, connected health systems.
Should you wish to verify my contributions or learn more about the project from a broader perspective, you may reach out to the following team members:
Shange Ndakunda
Role: Supervisor & Senior Developer
Contact: teflondepa@gmail.com
Elieserijo Hamburee
Role: Team Member (Developer)
Contact: ujamahamburee@gmail.com
Vuyelwa David Ruwodo
Role: Team Member (Developer)
Contact: vuyelwadr@gmail.com
Alina Amuthenu
Role: Project Manager
Contact: aamuthenu@unam.na
Important Note: The contact information above is provided with the understanding that permission has been granted by each individual for its public display for professional verification purposes. Please respect their privacy.Â