Activity File
ICT in Health: the role of ICTs in the health sector in developing countries
Summary
Improving the health of individuals and communities, and strengthening health systems, disease detection and prevention are crucial to development and poverty reduction. ICT has the potential to impact almost every aspect of the health sector. In public health, information management and communication processes are pivotal, and are facilitated or limited by available ICT.
Background / Terms of Reference
ICT has the potential to impact upon almost every aspect of the health sector. In public health, information management and communication processes are pivotal, and are facilitated or limited by the available information and communication technology. In addition, beyond the formal health sector, the ability of impoverished communities to access services and engage with and demand a health sector that responds to their priorities and needs, is importantly influenced by wider information and communication processes, mediated by ICT.
infoDev commissioned Healthlink Worldwide and two partners, ISHED and AfriAfya to investigate the knowledge related to the role of ICT in the health sector in developing countries.
The team worked together to:
- Develop a knowledge map that considers the current state of and major gaps in knowledge related to the role of ICT in the health sector in developing countries.
- Manage an online consultation in relation to the knowledge map to tap into the experience and ideas of a broad range of practitioners
- Write a framework paper which identifies key issues and opportunities relating to the role of ICT in health, and identifies key lessons and recommendations for action.
- Select a number of main policy recommendations, identified from the research.
improving health, connecting people: the role of iCTs in the health sector of developing countries