E-health technology can improve medical services
Nov 22, 2009
The Ministry of Information Communication Technology recently embarked on Phase Two of the $106m (sh212b) on the nation backbone infrastructure IT project. Government’s noble intention is to extend 2,130km of fibre optic cable to the countryside, so as
By Ivan Kahangire
The Ministry of Information Communication Technology recently embarked on Phase Two of the $106m (sh212b) on the nation backbone infrastructure IT project. Government’s noble intention is to extend 2,130km of fibre optic cable to the countryside, so as to provide high speed bandwidth for faster communication, data and information flow.
While this is being done, it is hoped that other ministries are planning and laying strategies to put this fiber optic cable to the best use to improve service delivery to the common man. Only then will this truly translate into “bridging the digital divideâ€.
The Ministry of Health can tremendously benefit from this infrastructure through the use of e-health, tele-health and health informatics to improve health care delivery.
The ministry can also use this technology to promote knowledge sharing among clinicians, patients and other users about medical innovations in a secure, fast and cost-effective environment.
The technology would also be used for automation of clinical, financial and administrative information in hospitals.
While no single definition is all encompassing for e-health, tele-medicine or health informatics, all three prioritise the use of technology for delivery of clinical information, care and services. These involve the use of fast broadband internet connectivity, accessibility to computers and adequate knowledge and skills on use of medical technology. Any single adaptation of either of these technologies would greatly lead to improvement in access to medical care by the rural-based Ugandans.
The technology would also enhance the access to fast and accurate information through store and forward imaging of medical records.
It would also promote knowledge sharing by rural-based doctors with their urban-based counterparts through video conferencing.
Training of doctors and nurses would be greatly enhanced using these technologies.
It should be public policy to set up technologically equipped medical training centres in each region of the country, to extend quality medical services to the rural poor and reduce pressure on the few referral hospitals that are heavily congested with patients.
Despite the high cost of investment, the benefits are far beyond this initial input.
The Government should wake up to this reality and develop plans, policies and strategies that will bring about the realisation of e-health in Uganda in the quickest possible time.
Benchmarking against success stories on the African continent would guide in the implementation of this plan, especially from countries such as Mauritius, Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda.
Summarily, technology should be embraced and fused into health sector programmes to provide affordable services to even the most remote patients.
It is no longer a debate as to whether this marriage of technology and medicine is viable, but rather, how many lives are lost through medical malpractices. Many lives would be saved if these e-health, tele-health and health informatics best practices are adopted. The sooner, the better for us all.
The writer is the senior systems officer Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development
[- Send a topical opinion with your picture to guestwriter@newvision.co.ug. We take 600 words only]
The Ministry of Information Communication Technology recently embarked on Phase Two of the $106m (sh212b) on the nation backbone infrastructure IT project. Government’s noble intention is to extend 2,130km of fibre optic cable to the countryside, so as to provide high speed bandwidth for faster communication, data and information flow.
While this is being done, it is hoped that other ministries are planning and laying strategies to put this fiber optic cable to the best use to improve service delivery to the common man. Only then will this truly translate into “bridging the digital divideâ€.
The Ministry of Health can tremendously benefit from this infrastructure through the use of e-health, tele-health and health informatics to improve health care delivery.
The ministry can also use this technology to promote knowledge sharing among clinicians, patients and other users about medical innovations in a secure, fast and cost-effective environment.
The technology would also be used for automation of clinical, financial and administrative information in hospitals.
While no single definition is all encompassing for e-health, tele-medicine or health informatics, all three prioritise the use of technology for delivery of clinical information, care and services. These involve the use of fast broadband internet connectivity, accessibility to computers and adequate knowledge and skills on use of medical technology. Any single adaptation of either of these technologies would greatly lead to improvement in access to medical care by the rural-based Ugandans.
The technology would also enhance the access to fast and accurate information through store and forward imaging of medical records.
It would also promote knowledge sharing by rural-based doctors with their urban-based counterparts through video conferencing.
Training of doctors and nurses would be greatly enhanced using these technologies.
It should be public policy to set up technologically equipped medical training centres in each region of the country, to extend quality medical services to the rural poor and reduce pressure on the few referral hospitals that are heavily congested with patients.
Despite the high cost of investment, the benefits are far beyond this initial input.
The Government should wake up to this reality and develop plans, policies and strategies that will bring about the realisation of e-health in Uganda in the quickest possible time.
Benchmarking against success stories on the African continent would guide in the implementation of this plan, especially from countries such as Mauritius, Ghana, South Africa and Rwanda.
Summarily, technology should be embraced and fused into health sector programmes to provide affordable services to even the most remote patients.
It is no longer a debate as to whether this marriage of technology and medicine is viable, but rather, how many lives are lost through medical malpractices. Many lives would be saved if these e-health, tele-health and health informatics best practices are adopted. The sooner, the better for us all.
The writer is the senior systems officer Ministry of Finance Planning and Economic Development
[- Send a topical opinion with your picture to guestwriter@newvision.co.ug. We take 600 words only]