College of Human Sciences

Unisa academic's research finds healthcare solutions in digital transformation

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Dr Mandisa Msomi

On 22 October 2025, staff from the Department of Information Science gathered at the ZK Matthews Hall to congratulate Dr Mandisa Msomi and celebrate the conferring of her PhD in Information Science.

Msomi’s PhD research study, supervised by Professor Ngoako Marutha and titled “A Framework for Digital Transformation in the Provincial Department of Health in South Africa,” focuses on the challenges of digital health transformation in South Africa. It pays particular attention to policy gaps, weak regulatory enforcement, and the absence of an Africa-specific framework.

The study identifies resource constraints and uneven capacity across provinces as major barriers to transformation, while emphasising the importance of effective change management. Msomi explains that her research proposes a digital health transformation framework that prioritises infrastructure development, governance, and equitable resource allocation, while addressing issues of inconsistency and interoperability in system deployment.

“The framework,” she says, “supports provincial and national health departments in managing change, monitoring progress, and achieving an integrated, patient-centred digital health system for South Africa’s public healthcare sector.”

The study makes a meaningful contribution to both digital transformation and health information systems in developing country contexts, with a particular emphasis on the South African healthcare sector. It provides a critical analysis of fragmentation and proposes a framework that incorporates change management. It also offers theoretical insights and practical models that future scholars and policymakers can build upon.

Msomi says that the community will benefit from her research, as it will inform the design and implementation of more integrated, patient-centred digital health systems, ultimately influencing policy and practice. The aim, then, is to improve continuity of care and attain greater efficiency in service delivery, ultimately leading to better health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations who are most affected by the inefficiencies of the current system.

Msomi’s future academic plan is to expand her research into comparative studies on digital transformation and contribute to global debates on sustainable information systems. In her words, “I also intend to supervise postgraduate students, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and ensure my work informs both academic discourse and practical policy. In addition, I aspire to collaborate with other scholars across multidisciplinary fields to gain broader insights, enrich my own research, and co-create knowledge that addresses complex societal challenges. Through these engagements, I aim to strengthen both the academic community and the practical relevance of my academic growth.”

Msomi states that she is profoundly grateful to God for the resilience and grace that have sustained her throughout her journey. She also extends her deepest appreciation to her support system, comprising family and friends, and to the Department of Information Science, where she says the spirit of collegiality and collaboration is truly exemplary.

“I owe special gratitude,” she continues, “to my PhD supervisor, Professor Marutha, whose guidance, patience, and scholarly expertise have been instrumental in shaping and refining my academic path. Each milestone I have reached is not an individual accomplishment alone, but a reflection of the collective sacrifice, mentorship, and encouragement that I have been privileged to receive. This journey has reinforced the values of resilience and humility, and has highlighted the importance of academic and communal solidarity.”

 * By Nnana Martina Jege, Communication and Marketing, College of Human Sciences

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Publish date: 2025-11-18 00:00:00.0

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