It’s Time For An African eHealth Policy
The World Health Organization defines e-Health as “the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) for health.” WHO acknowledges that innovation in the digital sphere is happening at an unprecedented scale but its application to improve the health of populations remains largely untapped despite there being an immense scope for use of digital health solutions.
The disruptions caused by COVID-19 in our traditional health systems could be a turning point for embracing digital cooperation across the African continent. This is because COVID-19 prevention measures like social distancing and stay-at-home orders make the internet the only viable alternative for social interactions and virtual means present zero risk of interpersonal COVID-19 infection. Other standard operating procedures like self-isolation and quarantining have proven to have adverse impacts on an individual’s mental health resulting in an uptick in cases of depression and anxiety globally. It is therefore important to maintain at least virtual interaction to curb the rising mental disorders.
The digital space presents unlimited possibilities and beyond COVID our health systems should adapt by developing innovative e-health platforms. Digital health platforms transcend boundaries and ease information sharing among nations. It is also through digitalization that we can counter the COVID-19 infodemic which has been facilitated by social platforms. Developing simple e-health tools can further help isolated and quarantined individuals in accessing peer-to-peer communication with their caretakers to reduce the risk of depression and anxiety. Similarly, other services such as health information, patient monitoring, and psychosocial support among others can be provided remotely using digital means like software applications thus reducing the risk of physical contact.
A strong and responsive health system requires all communities to be actively engaged and well-coordinated from the lowest level to the highest level which can be done using digital means. Digital platforms like zoom are simple and economical for capacity building and knowledge sharing among health workers, unlike the traditional workshops.
Noteworthy, some African countries are appreciating the role of eHealth. A case in point is Uganda which developed a National eHealth Policy, South Africa which developed Artificial Intelligence-powered call centers, and Nigeria which set up a system that provides automated text messages with test results for individuals who have tested for COVID19. Rwanda is also using robots for COVID19 screening at the airport among other digitalized initiatives.
Efforts to embrace eHealth by countries is a move in the right direction, however, such isolated efforts may not be as effective and efficient as a coordinated continent-wide eHealth initiative. Africa with the stewardship of the African Union should develop an African eHealth policy to facilitate continent-wide digital cooperation in implementation and strategic response to COVID19 and other diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS among others.
We recently celebrated the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) in which the fifty-five-member states of the African Union agreed to create a single continent-wide market for goods and services and to promote movement of capital and persons. With COVID-19 threatening economic gains made by African countries, the policy that promotes digital cooperation in dealing with the pandemic and other public health threats will receive considerable political and public support.
A unifying policy for the continent will also drive private sector investment and innovations for our health system. The private sector is a key player in pandemic preparedness and therefore Public-Private Partnerships hold the future for African digital health cooperation. African governments also have to commit to addressing the infrastructural challenges that lead to electricity and internet access inequalities if we are to have a robust digital health ecosystem that is not only resilient but also inclusive.
Just like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf observed, the global health system is as strong as its weakest link and therefore countries must learn to work together, or else the global health system will remain like a house without a foundation. COVID19 pandemic is a game-changer and has laid a firm ground for Africa to stand together in supporting and embracing digital cooperation and innovations for our health sector to provide essential healthcare services that are accessible, affordable, reliable, and tailored to our local needs.
Charles Mwanje was a 2020–2021 Global Health Corps fellow and currently serves as the Behavioral Health Programs Officer at Jhpiego–A Johns Hopkins University affiliate.
Global Health Corps (GHC) is a leadership development organization building the next generation of health equity leaders around the world. All GHC fellows, partners, and supporters are united in a common belief: health is a human right. There is a role for everyone in the movement for health equity. To learn more, visit our website and connect with us on Twitter/Instagram/Facebook.
