Iceland invests nearly three billion kronas in health software amid ongoing complaints from professionals

Health authorities in Iceland have invested nearly three billion kronas in software over four years, despite ongoing complaints from healthcare professionals regarding its efficacy. This substantial payment was made to Origo for various health systems, including the Saga system which manages electronic patient records. According to officials, the quality of software is essential for ensuring patient safety.

Concerns have been raised about the frequent malfunctions and sluggishness of these systems, which have been described as a source of frustration for healthcare staff. A board member from the Icelandic Medical Association emphasized the need for improvements, highlighting that slow systems hinder the ability to process prescriptions and access vital patient information, raising safety concerns.

The Directorate of Health and the National University Hospital have been working with the Saga system’s parent company, Helix Health, which operates under Origo. Reports indicate that about 1.7 billion kronas were allocated to Origo for software development from 2020 to 2023, while healthcare institutions paid around 1.3 billion kronas in usage fees for the Saga, Heilsuveru, and other software.

As the Competition Authority investigates the contracting practices of health officials, industry critics are advocating for a more open procurement process. They argue that by exclusively partnering with a single firm, potential alternative solutions that could improve the current system have been overlooked. The criticisms highlight a broader issue of innovation and efficiency in the health tech sector.