Need to advocate for e-health strategy-Prof. Pemba

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It was informed that, there is a need for advocacy on e-Health strategy, intensifying e-learning among health workers and groom people in health informatics.The call was made recently by the Director of the Tanzania Training Centre for International Health (TTCIH), Prof. Senga Pemba in Bagamayo at a two days e-health for Sub-Saharan Africa workshop organized by Christian Social Services Commission (CSSC) through AfyaMtandao network in collaboration with TTCIH under the sponsorship of the International Institute for Communication and Development (IICD).

The workshop aimed at identifying critical risks to sustainability of e-health services at organizational and institutional levels. In addition, it focused on strengthening relationship and collaboration among e-health value chain stakeholders through joint generation of ideas and opportunities to address crucial challenges.

Prof. Pemba indicated that though there is e-health strategy the only issue is to fasten the process. Need to make visits and find out what is happening in the network and organize ourselves to learn from others. He added that, the world is changing very fast towards adopting e-health and Tanzania as country cannot afford to lag behind. Participants of the workshop were the experts in the field of e-Health in Tanzania whereby they worked on generating their dreams for 2020 on e-Health performance. And the followings were some of their assumptions;

 

• Improved level of service provision since patient care will be easily tracked at every point
• Doctor consultation by text messaging and chat (instant messaging)
• Reduced cost in healthcare
• Strengthen e-Health network
• E-Health will be at level of access to all
• Health information systems will be rolled out at more than 70% of health facilities
• Universal coverage of e-Health applications even at rural areas level (community health workers)
• ICT will revolutionize health systems

 

The impact of e-Health on Society

 

• Quality of health care
• Preventive health
• Effects on equity and realization of MDGs
• Health System strengthening
• Organizational capacity in term of  institutional and regulatory capacity as well as innovative capacity