SATELLITE-ENHANCED TELEMEDICINE AND EHEALTH FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: A DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY

摘要

Amongst the world's regions, Sub-Saharan Africa with its 48 countries1 and 750 millioninhabitants (2005 figures) suffers the highest burden of communicable diseases such asHIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, together with the lowest level of health care expenditureglobally. The average life expectancy at birth was 46 in 2004. Health service coverage is low,with generally low immunisation coverage. The situation is exacerbated as the region faces aswell a serious health workforce crisis, e.g. due to the migration of doctors and nurses from ruralto urban areas.Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has introduced significant new opportunitiesfor extending the reach of health services, offering the potential to overcome some of theobstacles of health workforce shortages and to reach remote areas with training, support andremote consultation opportunities. eHealth, the combined use in the health sector of ICT forclinical, educational and administrative purposes, both locally and at a distance, is a key enablerfor supporting health systems to deliver on their promise of good health for their citizens.Currently, however, overall ICT utilisation in most of the sub-Saharan countries is low, especiallyin remote and isolated areas.ESA, in collaboration with the Luxembourg Agency for Cooperation and Development and withthe co-funding of the Government of Luxembourg and of the European Union AfricaInfrastructure Trust Fund, has recently launched a new programme with the aim of enabling thedevelopment of a satellite-enhanced eHealth and Telemedicine infrastructure for the benefit of thesub-Saharan Africa. This is a significant opportunity for the identified public health needs of theregion. Satellite-based communication technologies can play a significant role especially in ruralareas, where wired networks are non-existent and commercially unviable to roll out. Satellitesolutions can enable a variety of services and rapidly unfold the potential of externalities, such aseLearning and eAdministration, which are of high interest for the region.Apart from a deep understanding of the sub-Saharan situation at various levels, to increase thesuccess potential it is necessary to develop a strong sense of African ownership towards thisinitiative. This can only be achieved by active collaboration with adequate sub-Saharan partnersat all levels.