e-Health
During the United Nations Millennium Summit in September 2000, the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) was adopted by 189 nations. Three (3) out of the eight (8) MDGs refer to global healthcare challenges, i.e. reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. Overcoming global healthcare challenges require taking comprehensive actions and must involve all stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Breakthroughs in science and technology have greatly enhanced the possibilities for provision of healthcare at the point of need. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) enable exchange of medical information without boundaries for capacity building, diagnostics, treatment and follow-up. Healthcare providers and facilities are increasingly relying on e-Health solutions to assist them in fighting against current and future healthcare challenges.
The European Commission defines e-Health as the use of modern information and communication technologies to meet needs of citizens, patients, healthcare professionals, healthcare providers, as well as policy makers. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines e-Health simply as the use of information and communication technologies for health.
No matter what definition is given, the goal of e-Health is clear: ”To improve healthcare locally, regionally and worldwide by the utilization of information and communication technology”.
There are a number of examples where e-Health can play a major role:
- Creating a network for exchange of information, knowledge and second opinion between patients, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders around the globe (e.g. iPath)
- Diagnostics, treatment and follow-up of patients on distance through remote monitoring and tele-conferencing solutions;
- Electronic health records and effective administration of patients in hospitals and clinics;
- Gathering, analysis, and processing of medical statistics and outbreaks of infectious diseases locally, regionally and globally;
- Providing health portals for education, creating awareness and disseminating preventive healthcare practice to citizens, patients, and healthcare professionals.
E-Health can be a major cornerstone in offering accessible and affordable healthcare services for the rural population in developing countries and to assist in fighting against global healthcare challenges and in achieving the MDG goals.
SPIDER supports e-health projects in developing countries, where innovative healthcare processes and methods for providing diagnostics and treatment are supported by e-Health solutions. The end result shall be sustainable, accessible, and affordable quality healthcare services for rural people at the point of need.
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 e-health leaflet | 322.34 KB |
