Academic roaming keeps Kenyan hospital online

Seamless and secure internet connectivity is essential in modern healthcare. For the AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya, the solution has been the academic roaming service eduroam. Doctors, nurses and medical students can instantly connect to Wi-Fi via the service.

Previously, the hospital relied on two Wi-Fi SSIDs (service set identifiers) that utilized shared passwords for access. This setup not only posed security risks but also limited seamless connectivity for visiting medical professionals and students.

“The challenge we had was password oversharing. You could find too many people connecting to the Wi-Fi because they only needed the Wi-Fi password, making the network slow,” says Gidraf Mulama, Network and Infrastructure Officer at AIC Kijabe Hospital.

Reduction in administrative burden

Developed for the academic and research community, eduroam is a global secure mobility service. The service allows students, researchers, and staff of the participating institutions to have Internet on their own campus and when they visit other partner universities and institutions.

The technical implementation of eduroam at the AIC Kijabe Hospital required a collaborative effort with KENET, the national research and education network (NREN) of Kenya, which played a key role in setting up and supporting eduroam at the hospital.

“Since the installation of eduroam, the hospital has experienced numerous benefits. One of the most significant changes has been the elimination of the need for users to request Wi-Fi passwords,” notes Gidraf. “We don’t have the challenge of people asking for Wi-Fi passwords throughout. We just tell them they can log in to the Wi-Fi through the authentication of our active directory logins. This simplification has not only improved user satisfaction but also reduced the administrative burden on hospital staff.”

Bridging the digital divide

By enabling users to log in through their home institution’s credentials, eduroam reduces the reliance on public Wi-Fi, safeguarding sensitive data and protecting users from potential cybersecurity threats. Institutions benefit as well, with simplified access management. The streamlined approach not only secures network access but also lowers the risk of unauthorized connections, making eduroam an asset for building a connected, secure and efficient healthcare environment.

Beyond enhancing connectivity, eduarom has been pivotal in bridging the digital divide within the hospital. By delivering secure and reliable internet access, eduarom ensures that authorized users – healthcare professionals, patients, and visitors alike – can stay connected with ease. This inclusive connectivity fosters a collaborative environment, allowing healthcare teams to communicate more effectively and access essential resources in real-time.

Ultimately, eduroam is not only advancing digital accessibility but also the strengthening the hospital community.

The text is inspired by the article “Enhancing connectivity in healthcare: The impact of eduroam at AIC Kabete Hospital” at the KENET website.