The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Health · World Health Organization March...

The Role of Information and The Role of Information and The Role of Information and The Role of Information and Communication Technology in HealthCommunication Technology in HealthCommunication Technology in HealthCommunication Technology in Health

Dr Michael ScholtzDr Michael ScholtzDr Michael ScholtzDr Michael ScholtzWorld Health OrganizationWorld Health OrganizationWorld Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization

February 2003February 2003February 2003February 2003

World Health OrganizationMarch 2003

Internet growth, Western Europe

1.11.9 1.6

3.11.4

4.8

1.8

9.5

1.8

10

5.5

11.4

5.6

17

Finland Sweden Spain Italy France UK Germany

1998 2002

Source: IDATE, World Atlas of Internet

Internet users (millions)


Today we can exchange health information and provide services across geographic, time and social boundaries


…but not everyone shares the benefits

World Health OrganizationMarch 2003 Source: Stephen G. Eick, Bell Laboratories; Cybergeography 2001

Global internet traffic flows


Equity: Our biggest challenge

We can make a phone that fits in a pocketWhy can’t we put phones in the poorest parts

of the world?

The problem is not one of technologyThe problem is one of will.


Health services

Health system

Improving health: ICT impacts health systems at all levels

Education & trainingWater & sanitation

Monitoring public healthWork force planningDiagnosis & treatment

Immunization

FinancingHealth policy

ResourceGeneration


What’s needed

InfrastructureInfrastructureInfrastructureInfrastructure! affordable, reliable, durable highaffordable, reliable, durable highaffordable, reliable, durable highaffordable, reliable, durable high----speed speed speed speed

telecommunications with a global coveragetelecommunications with a global coveragetelecommunications with a global coveragetelecommunications with a global coverage! affordable rates, tariffs and servicesaffordable rates, tariffs and servicesaffordable rates, tariffs and servicesaffordable rates, tariffs and services

Technology and toolsTechnology and toolsTechnology and toolsTechnology and tools! must be designed and developed based on user needs.must be designed and developed based on user needs.must be designed and developed based on user needs.must be designed and developed based on user needs.! cheap and rugged access devicescheap and rugged access devicescheap and rugged access devicescheap and rugged access devices! people who can install and support thempeople who can install and support thempeople who can install and support thempeople who can install and support them


Education and trainingTo access, use and manage information


…..what’s neededPolicies and standards

! Universal, non-proprietary standards for information representation and exchange

! Guidelines for reliable health information Evaluation

! Evidence & experience to guide developmentCoordination

! Vertical systems impede real progress


Networks are vital: To share results, discuss theories…and communicate


Example: Health InterNetwork

One of four major initiatives of the United Nations Millennium Action Plan, launched in Sept 2000

Supporting existing public health programs and priorities through

! Content: relevant, high quality, affordable

! Connectivity: improving internet access

! Capacity: training to use health information effectively


Journal subscriptions in 130 health institutions in low-income countries

21%

11%

5%

3%

4%

56%

0%

01 to 56 to 10 11 to 2021 to 5051 to 100over 100

No. journals subscribed


“...you have taken us, by this act, from poverty to wealth in the fields of information”.

El Hadj Boubacar Ball, Senegal


Our visionOur visionOur visionOur vision

“Open and unrestricted access to information for health, a global good, by making full use of ICT in health system development

Guiding principleGuiding principleGuiding principleGuiding principle“Equitable access to health information”


Proposed Actions 1Proposed Actions 1Proposed Actions 1Proposed Actions 1

! Finance, build and maintain ICT infrastructure Finance, build and maintain ICT infrastructure Finance, build and maintain ICT infrastructure Finance, build and maintain ICT infrastructure and a pricing structure which reflects the ability and a pricing structure which reflects the ability and a pricing structure which reflects the ability and a pricing structure which reflects the ability of the health system to pay for servicesof the health system to pay for servicesof the health system to pay for servicesof the health system to pay for services

! Ensure services to remote and underserved Ensure services to remote and underserved Ensure services to remote and underserved Ensure services to remote and underserved populationspopulationspopulationspopulations

! Address standards, norms, laws and regulation Address standards, norms, laws and regulation Address standards, norms, laws and regulation Address standards, norms, laws and regulation towards free flow of information for healthtowards free flow of information for healthtowards free flow of information for healthtowards free flow of information for health


Proposed Actions 2Proposed Actions 2Proposed Actions 2Proposed Actions 2

! Address the challenge of ensuring ICT in an Address the challenge of ensuring ICT in an Address the challenge of ensuring ICT in an Address the challenge of ensuring ICT in an unstable world unstable world unstable world unstable world –––– maintaining services where there maintaining services where there maintaining services where there maintaining services where there is internal instability, disaster and other is internal instability, disaster and other is internal instability, disaster and other is internal instability, disaster and other conditions posing an extra threat to healthconditions posing an extra threat to healthconditions posing an extra threat to healthconditions posing an extra threat to health

! Train and educate the health workforce, Train and educate the health workforce, Train and educate the health workforce, Train and educate the health workforce, researchers and policy makers in making the best researchers and policy makers in making the best researchers and policy makers in making the best researchers and policy makers in making the best use of use of use of use of ICTsICTsICTsICTs in healthin healthin healthin health

More than an Application

Information & Communication Information & Communication Information & Communication Information & Communication Technologies for HealthTechnologies for HealthTechnologies for HealthTechnologies for Health

The Role of Information and Communication Technology in Health · World Health Organization March...

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