eHealth Solutions in Global Health

Abstract

The concept of eHealth refers to the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in health. The tools used to achieve this are referred to as eHealth solutions. In light of ambitious internationally agreed targets and declarations, such as the sustainable developments goals (SDGs) and other health-related SDGs, as well as external shocks, such as pandemics or population aging, public health systems worldwide face the challenge of increasing pressures and demands. At the center of these aspirations is universal health coverage, underscored by a number of declarations agreed upon by a number of governments such as the Astana declaration on primary health care. eHealth has been seen as an accelerator to attain these internally agreed aspirations, and to strengthen health systems at the national level. However, systemic and programmatic considerations need serious attention in order to fast track progress made in the past decade regarding the production and use of eHealth solutions. This chapter presents a synopsis of public health eHealth solutions in global health, within the context of health system strengthening, universal health coverage, and person-centric health services. More importantly, for eHealth solutions to deliver value propositions and better health outcomes, there will be a need to strengthen international collaborations on eHealth solutions, interoperability, data protection, regulations, health workforce capacity building, infrastructure, and horizontal financing for eHealth by donors at national level as well as best practice promotion of governance models across all levels.