Overview
This workshop focuses on the role of applied information and communication technologies in African healthcare delivery. Panelists’ presentations will illustrate the potential for applied technology to improve healthcare delivery and expand health services while creating new and expanded markets for IT and communication technology. Programs including patient monitoring with hand held devices and patient smart-cards will be examined and discussed. Emphasis on appropriate technology and expanding markets to create an interface between virtual and physical infrastructure for expanding HIV/AIDS treatment as well as the delivery of general healthcare programs will be highlighted.

Speakers

• Charles Scatchard, Vice President, Healthcare, Oracle Europe, Middle East and Africa
• Judi Nwokedi, Director of Corporate & Government Affairs, Motorola Southern Africa
• Fatimata Seye Sylla, Program Director Digital Freedom Initiative Senegal
• Jeff Butler, CEO and Dr. Ernest Darkoh Chairman, BroadReach Healthcare
• Mohamed Ramdane, Public Sector Manager, HP Africa
• Moderator Dr. Gary Selnow, Director, WiRED

Summary/Key Findings
Appropriate and scalable applied information and communications technology can improve healthcare delivery in developing countries by creating virtual infrastructure to bridge physical infrastructure gaps. The private and public sectors have successfully deployed technology to disseminate HIV/AIDS prevention messages; control supply and distribution of ARVs; and manage patient care and adherence. In addition to contributing to the improvement of social health, this approach also creates potential for company market development. However, there are still many challenges that technology alone cannot address, including human resource constraints, inconsistent supplies of ARV and the ever-present stigma surrounding the disease.

Next steps

• The introduction of technology must be complemented with the building and harnessing of HR capacity.
• Investors must take into account country and/or community needs before presenting a solution. The simple “dumping” of technology on populations is proven to be detrimental and unproductive.
• Removing healthcare services from high cost facilities and bringing them to the patient, allowing the body to become the point of care, is necessary to reach those without direct financial or physical access to clinics or hospitals.