Technology

Master of Science Health Information Management

The Master of Science in Health Information Management is a postgraduate programme that trains professionals to become specialists in health informatics, health data management, and health information systems. The programme prepares graduates to manage health information, design health information systems, and contribute to digital health transformation in Kenya and beyond.

Core areas of study include health informatics, health information systems, electronic health records, health data management, database design, health data analytics, telemedicine, mobile health, information governance, health system interoperability, and research methods. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications in health information management.

The programme is offered by Moi University, Chuka University, and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, with Kenyatta University as a college. Moi University offers MSc in Health Informatics through its Institute of Biomedical Informatics, established with support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation. Kenyatta University offers MSc Health Informatics through its School of Public Health. The programme is designed for health professionals and computing graduates seeking to bridge health and information technology.

Students develop competencies in health data management, health system design, electronic health record implementation, health data analytics, telemedicine, mobile health, information governance, health system integration, and health informatics research. The programme includes coursework, laboratory sessions, practicum, examinations, and a research thesis. Moi University's programme includes a data science track developed in collaboration with New York University.

The programme is delivered over two years with weekend and part-time study modes at Moi University. The programme accommodates both health professionals and computing graduates, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of health informatics. Moi University's Institute of Biomedical Informatics serves as a centre of excellence for health informatics in the East African region.

Graduates pursue careers as health informatics specialists, health data managers, health IT consultants, electronic health record managers, health information system designers, and health data analysts in hospitals, government, NGOs, and international health organisations.

Skills Required

Health Information Systems Design and Management
Electronic Health Record Management
Health Data Analytics and Visualisation
Database Design and Management for Health
Telemedicine and Mobile Health Implementation
Health Information Governance and Security
Health System Interoperability and Integration
Health Data Quality Management
Digital Health Project Management
Health Informatics Research and Evaluation

Key Subjects

Health Informatics Foundations
Health Information Systems
Electronic Health Records
Health Data Management and Analytics
Database Design for Health
Telemedicine and Mobile Health
Health Information Governance and Security
Health System Interoperability
Digital Health Project Management
Research Methods in Health Informatics

Certifications

IMIA Health Informatics Certification
WHO Digital Health Certification

Specializations

Health Data Analytics

Focuses on health data analytics, using statistical and computational methods to analyse health data, generate insights, and support data-driven healthcare decision-making.

Electronic Health Records Management

Examines electronic health record systems, designing, implementing, and managing EHR systems, and ensuring data quality and interoperability in healthcare settings.

Telemedicine and Mobile Health

Covers telemedicine, mobile health applications, remote healthcare delivery, and designing and implementing digital health solutions for healthcare access.

Health Information Systems Design

Focuses on designing health information systems, database design for health, system architecture, and developing health information software and applications.

Health Data Science

Examines data science applied to health, machine learning for health, predictive analytics, and using big data approaches to address health challenges.

Health Information Governance

Covers information governance in healthcare, data privacy and security, health data standards, regulatory compliance, and managing health information ethically and securely.

Duration: 2 years
Public, up to: Ksh 187,200
Job market: Very high

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Part-time, Weekend
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 20 students
Award: Masters

What you study

10 subjects

Health Informatics Foundations
Health Information Systems
Electronic Health Records
Health Data Management and Analytics
Database Design for Health
Telemedicine and Mobile Health
Health Information Governance and Security
Health System Interoperability
Digital Health Project Management
Research Methods in Health Informatics

Modules

12 in the programme

Health Informatics Foundations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines health informatics foundations, health information concepts, healthcare systems, health data types, and the role of information technology in healthcare delivery.
Health Information Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers health information systems, system architecture, designing and implementing health information systems, and evaluating system performance in healthcare settings.
Electronic Health Records
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines electronic health record systems, EHR design and implementation, data standards, clinical documentation, and managing EHR systems in healthcare facilities.
Database Design for Health
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers database design for health applications, relational databases, data modelling, SQL for health data, and managing health databases effectively and securely.
Health Data Analytics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Examines health data analytics, statistical analysis of health data, data visualisation, predictive analytics for health, and using analytics to support healthcare decision-making.
Telemedicine and Mobile Health
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers telemedicine, mobile health applications, remote healthcare delivery, designing digital health solutions, and implementing telemedicine programmes in resource-limited settings.
Health Information Governance and Security
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines information governance in healthcare, data privacy and security, health data standards, regulatory compliance, and ethical management of health information.
Health System Interoperability
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers health system interoperability, health data exchange standards, integrating health information systems, and ensuring seamless data flow between healthcare systems.
Digital Health Project Management
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Examines project management for digital health initiatives, managing health IT projects, change management in healthcare, and ensuring successful health information system implementation.
Research Methods in Health Informatics
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methods for health informatics, study design, evaluation of health information systems, and conducting health informatics research.
Practicum in Health Information Management
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Practicum placement in a healthcare facility or health information system project, applying health informatics skills in real-world settings, with written report.
Research Thesis
Year 2Semester 26 creditsCore
Original research thesis on a health informatics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and health informatics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Specialisations

Health Data Analytics
Focuses on health data analytics, using statistical and computational methods to analyse health data, generate insights, and support data-driven healthcare decision-making.
Electronic Health Records Management
Examines electronic health record systems, designing, implementing, and managing EHR systems, and ensuring data quality and interoperability in healthcare settings.
Telemedicine and Mobile Health
Covers telemedicine, mobile health applications, remote healthcare delivery, and designing and implementing digital health solutions for healthcare access.
Health Information Systems Design
Focuses on designing health information systems, database design for health, system architecture, and developing health information software and applications.
Health Data Science
Examines data science applied to health, machine learning for health, predictive analytics, and using big data approaches to address health challenges.
Health Information Governance
Covers information governance in healthcare, data privacy and security, health data standards, regulatory compliance, and managing health information ethically and securely.

A day as a student

A typical day during the MSc Health Information Management programme begins with weekend lectures on health informatics foundations, health information systems, or database design. Students engage in practical sessions designing health databases, implementing electronic health record components, and using health data analytics tools. Laboratory sessions involve working with health information systems, configuring EHR systems, and analysing health data using statistical software. Telemedicine sessions cover designing and implementing remote healthcare solutions, while mobile health sessions explore developing and deploying health applications. Health data analytics sessions use programming languages and tools to analyse health datasets, create visualisations, and generate insights. Information governance sessions examine data privacy, security, and ethical management of health information. The programme at Moi University includes a data science track developed in collaboration with New York University, providing advanced data science training for health applications. Practicum sessions take students to healthcare facilities where they observe and participate in health information management practice. Research methodology sessions prepare students for their thesis, covering health informatics research methods and evaluation. Guest lectures from health informatics practitioners, MoH officials, and international partners provide real-world insights. The programme's interdisciplinary nature brings together health professionals and computing graduates, creating a rich learning environment. The two-year programme culminates in a research thesis defence.

The trade offs

In its favour

Kenya's digital health transformation creates very high demand for health informatics professionals across government, hospitals, NGOs, and international organisations.
Moi University's Institute of Biomedical Informatics is a recognised centre of excellence in East Africa with international partnerships and research funding.
Programme accommodates both health professionals and computing graduates, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of health informatics.
HI-TRAIN programme provides full scholarships for MSc students, with strong international collaboration through NORHED, NYU, and Regenstrief Institute.

Against it

Programme requires interdisciplinary knowledge spanning health and computing, which can be challenging for those from purely health or purely IT backgrounds.
Specific fee structures for Kenyatta University, Chuka University, and JOOUST could not be independently verified.
Weekend mode of study at Moi University may not suit all students, particularly those requiring full-time or weekday study options.
Health informatics is a relatively new field in Kenya, with limited awareness among employers about the value of the qualification.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 191 technology courses

Public187k to 187k

187k at Moi University187k at Moi University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Moi Univ PG ~187K/yr (worldscholarshipforum). MSc Health Informatics fee unverified. Private: unverified.

HELB postgraduate loans are available for Kenyan students. The HI-TRAIN programme, funded by NORHED, provides full scholarships for MSc Health Informatics students at Moi University, with recipients committing to serve as health informatics personnel. WHO provides digital health grants for capacity building in developing countries.

Funding options

HELB Postgraduate Loan
HI-TRAIN Scholarships (NORHED)
WHO Digital Health Grants

Scholarships

3 recorded

HELB Postgraduate Loan
LoanKsh 200,000Kenyan
Kenyan students pursuing postgraduate health informatics studies at recognised universities.
HI-TRAIN Scholarships (NORHED)
ScholarshipKsh 500,000Kenyan
HI-TRAIN programme funded by NORHED provides full scholarships for MSc Health Informatics students at Moi University. Recipients commit to serving as health informatics personnel at the university.
WHO Digital Health Grants
GrantKsh 400,000
WHO provides digital health grants for capacity building in developing countries, supporting health informatics training and digital health initiatives.

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: N/A (Postgraduate)
Alternative entry: The programme is designed for both health professionals and computing graduates, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of health informatics. Two-year programme with weekend mode at Moi University. International applicants must show evidence of English language proficiency. Moi University's Institute of Biomedical Informatics serves as a centre of excellence for the East African region.

How you are assessed

4 components

Coursework and Assignments
Coursework30% of the mark
Continuous assessment through coursework assignments, system design exercises, data analysis projects, and class participation throughout the programme.
Written Examinations
Examination30% of the mark
Written examinations covering health informatics, health information systems, database design, and health data analytics, conducted at end of each semester.
Practicum Assessment
Practical40% of the mark
Assessment of practicum placement in a healthcare facility or health IT project, evaluating practical application of health informatics skills, with written report.
Research Thesis
Research100% of the mark
Original research thesis on a health informatics topic, demonstrating mastery of research methods and health informatics knowledge, assessed through written submission and oral defence.

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). Moi University's MSc in Health Informatics is offered through its Institute of Biomedical Informatics, a recognised centre of excellence in East Africa. The programme meets CUE standards and IMIA competency recommendations for postgraduate health informatics training.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education (CUE)
Academic accreditationRequired
Programme accredited by CUE. Moi University's MSc in Health Informatics is offered through its Institute of Biomedical Informatics. The programme meets CUE standards and IMIA competency recommendations for health informatics training.
International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA)
Professional accreditation
IMIA provides international competency recommendations for health informatics education. Moi University's curriculum has been evaluated against IMIA competencies in published research.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

Health Informatics Specialist
Very high demandKsh 150,000 to Ksh 600,000
Designs and manages health information systems, implementing electronic health records, and supporting digital health initiatives in hospitals, government, and international organisations.
Health Data Manager
Very high demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Manages health data in healthcare facilities, ensuring data quality, managing health databases, and supporting data-driven healthcare decision-making.
Health IT Consultant
High demandKsh 160,000 to Ksh 650,000
Consults with healthcare organisations on health information technology, advising on system selection, implementation, interoperability, and digital health strategy.
EHR Implementation Manager
High demandKsh 140,000 to Ksh 550,000
Manages electronic health record implementation projects, overseeing system deployment, user training, data migration, and ensuring successful EHR adoption in healthcare facilities.
Health Data Analyst
Very high demandKsh 130,000 to Ksh 500,000
Analyses health data using statistical and computational methods, generating insights, creating dashboards, and supporting data-driven healthcare improvement.
Digital Health Project Manager
High demandKsh 170,000 to Ksh 600,000
Manages digital health projects for government, NGOs, or international organisations, overseeing telemedicine, mobile health, and health information system initiatives.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates pursue careers as health informatics specialists, health data managers, health IT consultants, and EHR managers in hospitals, government, and international health organisations.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

DHIS2
SoftwarePrimary
District Health Information System 2, widely used in Kenya and developing countries for health data management, disease surveillance, and health programme monitoring.
OpenMRS
SoftwarePrimary
Open-source electronic health record system widely used in developing countries, developed in collaboration with Moi University and Regenstrief Institute for resource-limited settings.
SQL Database Management
Software
Database management systems for health data storage, querying, and management, essential for health information system design and management.
R / Python for Health Data Analysis
Software
Programming languages for health data analysis, statistical modelling, data visualisation, and machine learning applied to health data.

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Health information management is just about medical records filing.
Modern health information management involves health informatics, data analytics, system design, electronic health records, telemedicine, and digital health transformation, far beyond traditional medical records management.
This programme is only for IT professionals.
The programme is designed for both health professionals and computing graduates, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of health informatics that bridges healthcare and information technology.
Health informatics has limited career prospects in Kenya.
Kenya's digital health transformation, including DHIS2, electronic health records, and telemedicine, creates very high demand for health informatics professionals across government, hospitals, and international organisations.
Health informatics is the same as general IT.
Health informatics specifically focuses on health data, healthcare systems, clinical workflows, health standards, and the unique requirements of managing health information in healthcare settings.
This programme is too technical for health professionals.
The programme is designed to accommodate health professionals, building informatics skills from foundations, with practical applications directly relevant to healthcare practice.
Health information management is becoming automated, reducing the need for professionals.
Automation increases demand for skilled professionals who can design, implement, manage, and evaluate health information systems and ensure data quality and security.