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In a country already grappling with staffing shortages and long waiting lists at medical facilities, Kenyan health care workers face an unexpected adversary: balky printers.

A new study by Epson, the global technology company, reveals that outdated printing equipment is exacerbating delays in hospitals and clinics across Kenya, contributing to significant productivity losses in an already strained system.

The report, released on September 4 in Nairobi, is part of a broader survey of 3,400 health care professionals across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Its findings paint a troubling picture of technological inefficiency hampering patient care.

In Kenya, 79% of health care workers reported losing substantial time due to inadequate printers. Perhaps more alarmingly, nearly 95% said these delays negatively impact critical functions such as information sharing, updating patient records, and appointment scheduling.

The study comes at a time when Kenya’s health care system is under increasing pressure. A 2022 report by the Ministry of Health highlighted a shortage of over 100,000 health care workers across the country. Against this backdrop, the printer problem adds an unexpected layer of complexity to the nation’s medical challenges.

The Epson study suggests that upgrading printing technology could be a relatively low-cost intervention with potentially significant returns. However, implementation would require careful planning and resource allocation in a system where every shilling counts.

The problem is not just about lost time; it affects patient care directly. “Healthcare workers lose approximately five million working days each year due to inadequate printing technology. This inefficiency strains systems already facing significant challenges,” said Mukesh Bector, Regional Head for East and West Africa at Epson. He offered that addressing these technology gaps could lead to better patient outcomes.

The population surveyed expressed a strong demand for better solutions. The survey shows that 89% of healthcare workers are calling for improved IT support to reduce wasted time, and 90% of Kenyan respondents believe investing in more efficient printing technology, such as Epson’s Heat-Free inkjets, is essential. These advanced printers offer reliability with lower maintenance needs, providing a stark contrast to the frequent malfunctions of traditional laser printers.

The environmental footprint of outdated printers is also a significant concern for healthcare professionals. Around 80% of the surveyed participants across the regions expressed personal worries about the sustainability of non-eco-friendly printers, while 75% of Kenyan healthcare workers emphasized its importance to their organizations.

Dr. Lucy Mutara, CEO of Astradental Services Ltd in Nairobi, explained how her clinic has benefited from switching to Epson’s heat-free printers. “These printers help us reduce our carbon footprint by consuming less energy and reducing CO2 emissions,” she said. Her facility, which is 90% solar-powered, aligns this practice with their commitment to sustainable energy under SDG goal 7.

Dr. Mutara also shared that using Epson printers has proven to be both cost-effective and time-saving compared to the laser printers they previously used, which consumed more electricity. “Patient wait times in hospitals and clinics are the number one complaint in patient feedback,” she noted. “Delays often come from waiting for referral forms, laboratory requests, admission forms, and prescriptions. In hospitals, one minute means a lot to patients and doctors.”

James Osborne from Epson Europe urged healthcare leaders to take proactive measures. “It’s crucial for healthcare leaders and IT managers to respond to these findings by upgrading their printing infrastructure to support better patient outcomes and operational efficiency,” he said.

According to the report, investing in efficient printing technology can make a substantial difference in both daily operations and patient care. By adopting more advanced printing technology, healthcare facilities can reduce downtime, streamline workflows, and allow staff to concentrate on their primary role of caring for patients.