Lithuania launches e-health app for patients

VILNIUS - The Lithuanian Health Ministry has launched a free mobile e-health app to make it easier and faster for patients to book doctor appointments, check referrals and prescriptions, and access their medical history.

"This mobile app will primarily benefit patients," Health Minister Marija Jakubauskiene said at a press conference on Monday while unveiling the app.

Developed by the Center of Registers, the administrator of Lithuania's electronic health services system, in collaboration with the ministry and the patient community, the app allows users to schedule and cancel specialist appointments.

"Patients will be able to register for an appointment at their convenience, without needing to call a healthcare facility. They can choose their preferred doctor and select the municipality where they'd like to receive services," the minister said.

"The app also makes it simple to cancel an appointment if something unexpected comes up," she added.

Users can access their full medical history, electronic prescriptions, vaccination records, and a calendar with past and upcoming medical visits.

The e-health app is available for download on Google Play and the App Store.

EASIER HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT FOR PARENTS

Jakubauskiene said that parents will also be able to use the app to manage medical appointments for their children.

"Parents can easily access their child's health certificates, download them, send them where needed, or retrieve them whenever necessary," she said.

The minister also expects the app to help reduce the administrative workload for healthcare professionals and ensure greater transparency in appointment scheduling.

"Starting April 15, all healthcare facilities will be required to publish available appointment slots up to four months in advance. This will allow patients to book the most convenient time and location for their visit using the app," she said.

From April 15, healthcare establishments will have to publish consultation schedules for at least four months by the 25th of the current month.

At least 80 percent of available appointment slots will have to be made accessible to patients through the e-health registration system. Health facilities will be able to reserve the remaining slots for urgent and follow-up visits.

EUR 180,000 FOR APP DEVELOPMENT

Adrijus Jusas, CEO of the Center of Registers, said the goal was to make existing e-health functions more user-friendly, rather than introducing many new features.

"Everyone is used to using ride-hailing and food delivery apps. Everything is simple and easy to understand. That was the aim when developing the e-health app: it's not about new functionalities but making things much faster, more convenient, and easier to navigate," he said.

According to Jusas, the app's development cost around 180,000 euros, with its annual maintenance costs estimated at up to 40,000 euros.

"A significant part of the budget wasn't just for building the app itself, but for adapting the old e-health system to ensure smooth data exchange," he said.

The mobile e-health app was developed by Lexita, a Vilnius-based software company, under a contract with the Center of Registers.