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International efforts in implementing national health information infrastructure and electronic health records

MCCONNELL, H
2004

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This study looks at some of the national initiatives for developing an information infrastructure for healthcare as well as some of the challenges presented by these very different approaches around the world. It also reviews briefly the many organisations looking at international standards relating to eHealth and to implementation of electronic health records

Electronic immunisation registry and tracking system in Bangladesh

AHMED, M
2004

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This report summarises the 2001 development of a new computerised information system to register, schedule and track the immunisation of children, which was introduced by the Department of Public Health in Rajshahi City Corporation, Bangladesh. While no direct funding was provided for it, the assumed cost was not more than US $5000. The author concludes that system has been working well for the past three years. He also notes that the utilisation of ICTs in poor countries should be targeted at those intermediaries (such as health workers) who play a key role in the lives of the poor through high-contact service delivery. Empowering those workers and helping improve the effectiveness of their service delivery will do more for the poor than any number of e-government portals

The Internet in developing nations : grand challenges

PRESS, L
2004

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The author outlines the 'grand challenge' or $15 billion project for achieving truly global connectivity. It is based on the methodology for the development of the US National Science Foundation Network. The plan emphasizes the use of wireless technology and input on local means of delivery based on stakeholders' decisions. The author does discuss the intellectual property rights problem and the need to subsidize access in lesser developed regions

Open source in developing countries

WEERAWARANA, Sanjiva
WEERATUNGA, Jivaka
2004

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This study discusses the history of open source, how open source works, and why developers contribute to open source. After examining open source markets and business models, it presents a strategy framework and strategy map for developing countries to go down the open source path. Finally, it presents a classification of the current status of developing countries in relation to its IT policy and infrastructure and how a donor agency can assist in exploiting open source to create value in the economy. A case study of Sri Lanka illustrares how the donor action plan, strategy implementation and strategy map all tie together

eHealth for health-care delivery : strategy 2004-2007

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)
2004

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Information and communication technologies have a crucial role to play in the delivery of health care, particularly in developing countries. This document outlines the WHO programme on eHealth for health-care delivery (eHCD), which aims to help decision and policy makers to create the conditions for the integration of eHealth solutions into the health system. Health technologies can be very effective in disease prevention, diagnosis and patient management and care, but the modality of implementation may vary according to the specific needs of a country. The document sets out priorities and operational framework of the programme, and spells out the goals to be achieved by 2007

A review of good practice in ICT and special educational needs for Africa

IMFUNDO PARTNERSHIP FOR IT IN EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (DFID)
2004

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This study focuses on the use of ICT in education and in particular to support special education needs in Africa. Assistive technology can do much to help hearing and vision impaired and children with general learning disabilities. The study includes some non-African approaches that could be easily applied to the African context and looks into the African experience in some detail

Implementing telemedicine technology : lessons from India

SOOD, S P
2004

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Review of a 'challenging' pilot scheme in telemedicine in India. Lessons learned include keeping the objectives of the project in small modules and keeping the deliverables within sight. An account of some of the challenges faced while developing telemedicine technology in India serves as a useful example for upcoming telemedicine programmes in other low-resource countries

Knowledge and utilization of information technology among health care professionals and students in Ile-Ife, Nigeria : a case study of a university teaching hospital

BELLO, I S
et al
2004

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The study was designed to assess the knowledge and utilization pattern of information technology among health care professionals and medical students in a university teaching hospital in Nigeria. Self-structured pretested questionnaires that probe into the knowledge, attitudes and utilization of computers and IT were administered to a randomly selected group of 180 health care professionals and medical students. Only 26% of the respondents possess a computer, and only a small percentage of the respondents demonstrated good knowledge of computers and IT

Assessing computer skills in Tanzanian medical students : an elective experience

SAMUEL, M
et al
2004

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The aim of this study is to assess the information and communication technology (ICT) skills of medical students in Tanzania. The study has found a low level of ability to use ICT facilities among medical students in a leading university in sub-Saharan Africa. A pilot scheme utilising UK elective students to tutor basic skills showed potential. Attention is required to develop interventions that can improve ICT skills, as well as computer access, in order to bridge the digital divide.

Application of ICT in strengthening health information systems in developing countries in the wake of globalisation

SIMBA, Daudi O
2004

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The last decades saw developing countries taking action to strengthen and modernise their health management information systems (HMIS) using the existing ICT. Due to poor economic and communication infrastructure, the process has been limited to national and provincial/region levels leaving behind majority of health workers living in remote/rural areas. The author notes that strategies to improve data quality and utilisation should be instituted to ensure that HMIS has positive impact on people's health; otherwise, advancement in ICT will continue to marginalise health workers in developing countries especially those living in remote areas

ICT and MDGs : a World Bank Group perspective

WORLD BANK GROUP
December 2003

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A 2003 policy paper from the World Bank on the relationship between ICT and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The main objectives of this report are: (i) to illustrate the opportunities ICT offers policy makers and practitioners in their efforts to achieve the MDGs, with the assumption that the appropriate policies and institutions exist or will be forthcoming; and (ii) to highlight selected World Bank Group funded projects with an ICT component which have contributed to the intended development outcomes. "The report does not aim to establish proven empirical links between ICT and the achievement of the MDGs, but to illustrate the positive impact ICT can make as an enabling tool for development." Includes a section on ICT and health MDGs

ICT and health [chapter] | ICT and MDGs : a World Bank Group perspective

WORLD BANK GROUP
December 2003

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This article explores the impact of ICTs on health care within developing countries. Topics covered include research and training of health-care workers, achieving health-related MDGs, and storing and disseminating health information. Details are also provided of selected World Bank-funded projects

Tools for development : using information and communications technology to achieve the Millennium Development Goals

UNITED NATIONS ICT TASK FORCE SECRETARIAT
December 2003

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Sponsored by the UN ICT Task Force, this paper represents an attempt to define more precisely how ICTs can be used to further the achievement of basic development objectives. Using the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as a baseline for analysis, the paper conducts a mapping exercise, which links the application of ICTs to broader development goals as expressed in the MDGs. The mapping of ICT tools to the attainment of the millennium goals in specific development areas leads to a series of ICT-specific targets and suggests possible indicators for measuring progress

The wireless internet opportunity for developing countries

WIRELESS INTERNET INSTITUTE
Ed
November 2003

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The expansion and transfer of information and communication technology is crucial to the economic growth of developing countries. Connectivity through the Internet, in particular, is essential in a global and increasingly expanding knowledge economy, but it is also important for the improvement of national services and government (e-health, e-education, e-government). This book focuses on Internet technologies and opportunities and argues that for resource-constrained countries the deployment of broadband wireless Internet may be the only viable and the most cost/effective option. Chapters address technology, regulatory issues, vendor resources, and country guidelines. The second part of the book contains 12 case studies, covering a broad range of areas, from sustainability to education, remote regions, WISPs, shared access, adaptive technologies, and rebuilding nations, and includes useful lists of key things to remember

Appropriating the internet for social change : towards the strategic use of networked technologies by transnational civil society organizations

SURMAN, Mark
REILLY, Katherine
November 2003

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This research report argues that analysis of the Internet focuses too much on technology and on overcoming a "digital divide" in access to the Internet. The report looks at examples of how people in international civil society organisations have used e-mail, websites and databases to help them collaborate, publish information, mobilise people in their networks, and access information for research. The report does not cover local or national civil society organisations

The Ptolemy project : a scalable model for delivering health information in Africa

BEVERIDGE, M
HOWARD, A
BURTON, K
HOLDER, W
October 2003

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This article describes the Ptolmey project. This project is a new model for electronic access to medical literature for doctors in developing countries. Surgeons in east Africa become research affiliates of the University of Toronto and have access to the full-text resources of the university library via a secure Internet system that monitors and verifies use. Ptolemy is a small project but it has potential for being widely and economically reproduced

ICT, PRSPs, and MDGs

BANURI, Tariq
October 2003

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This paper considers the dissemination of ICT within various conceptual frameworks, calling for approaches that start with the needs and desires of poor people for information. It is strongly illustrated with examples from India and Pakistan. Banuri then turns to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and to the potential of ICT to support progress in meeting these goals. Finally, he criticises governments for lack of a coherent, human development-based ICT policy emphasizing the MDGs, while suggesting that civil society has done better

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