Engaging ICTs as a “Tool” for eHealth prioritization on human development and poverty reduction in the African region
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Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Inc.
Abstract
The association connecting information and communication technologies (ICTs) and well-being
or poverty remains vague and research today has resulted to divergent conclusions. This paper
defines ICTs as “tools” that facilitate communication and the processing and transmission of
information and the sharing of knowledge by electronic means. In the African region context, we
examine ICTs utilization that aims to improve the provision, access and information management
in the health sector. This paper considers access to information as very important benefits that
can be achieved in many areas including economic growth, education and healthcare. In
healthcare, the roles that ICT plays in ensuring that health information is provided to healthcare
providers and consumers to support improving the health of individuals and strengthening health
systems, disease detection and prevention are crucial to development and poverty reduction as
stated in the UN’s MDGs. For example, access to appropriate information can minimise visits to
physicians and periods of hospitalisation for patients suffering from chronic conditions, such as
asthma, diabetes, hypertension and HIV/AIDS. This will in turn reduce the cost of healthcare
provision. ICTs have the potential to impact almost every aspect of health sector. The paper then
proposed how ICTs can be used to reduce poverty and ensure that health information is well
administered and reaches the right people, at the right time and in the right form.
Description
Keywords
Health information, eHealth, ICT uses, Poverty, Developing countries
Citation
Agbele, K.K., et al. (2011). Engaging ICTs as a “Tool” for eHealth prioritization on human development and poverty reduction in the African region. African Journal of Computing & ICT, 5(4): 103-135