Celebrating Women in Tech: Sylvia Mwelu

Country: Kenya
Title & Organisation: Digital Health Technical Lead, Kenya Health Informatics Association (KeHIA)
Education: Pharmacy degree
 

About KeHIA ... KeHIA is a professional organisation with members from medicine, IT, computer science, public health, bioethics and law, among others. It promotes collaboration among digital health partners and supports the development of actionable evidence to inform investment in ICT with the aim of improving access and quality of health services.

KeHIA and openIMIS ... KeHIA has been part of the openIMIS community as the host of the Africa Knowledge Hub and supports with capacity building initiatives across the region.

How did you become interested in working in IT? “Training as a pharmacist got me interested in improving patient outcomes more broadly. I later then did online courses in health financing, advocacy and leadership. I could see that digital health and development were becoming increasingly critical and, when the job at KeHIA came up, I was really lucky to be in the right place at the right time. When I was interviewed, they saw my potential. It was very exciting because Kenya was re-launching the Universal Health Coverage strategy with digitisation at its centre.”

What are the challenges and advantages to being a woman in digital tech? “There is no doubt that tech is a male-dominated industry in Africa, but our culture is evolving and our perceptions are changing. In Kenya there has been a huge push to get more women into STEM, including women-only fellowships. I now see real advantages to being a woman in tech - the networks you build and people you meet. Women bring different perspectives that really enrich programmes. I am often asked how I got into tech, and I am always willing to lend a hand to other women, just as many women supported me.”

What do you find most inspiring about your work and what are you most proud of? 
“There is a huge digital buzz right now in our country. Knowing that I have a voice and can contribute to the changes in the digital sector makes me proud. I am at the heart of it all, with privileged access to conversations on how to transform healthcare in Kenya. My role at KeHIA is to think through how we can continuously build the knowledge of our members in digital health and anything digital, so I feel I am making a real contribution.”