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Open Access
Yearb Med Inform 2011; 20(01): 33-38
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1638734
Survey
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart

Can ICTs Contribute to the Efficiency and Provide Equitable Access to the Health Care System in Sub-Saharan Africa? The Mali Experience

C. O. Bagayokoa
Department Radiology and Medical Informatics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
Department of Public Health and Specialties, Medical School, University of Bamako, Mali
Centre d’Expertise et de Recherche en Télémédecine et E-santé, Hôpital Mère Enfant, Bamako, Mali
,
A. Anneb
Department of Public Health and Specialties, Medical School, University of Bamako, Mali
Centre d’Expertise et de Recherche en Télémédecine et E-santé, Hôpital Mère Enfant, Bamako, Mali
,
M. Fieschi
Laboratoire d’Enseignement et de Recherche sur le Traitement de l’Information Médicale, University of Marseille, France
,
A. Geissbuhlera
Department Radiology and Medical Informatics, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
This work was supported by the University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland, the International Institute of Development and Communication, the Canadian International Development Research Centre, and the Foundation for Children of Mali through the Children Mother Hospital “Luxembourg.”
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Publication History

Publication Date:
06 March 2018 (online)

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Summary

Objective

The aim of this study is to demonstrate from actual projects that ICT can contribute to the balance of health systems in developing countries and to equitable access to human resources and quality health care service. Our study is focused on two essential elements which are: i) Capacity building and support of health professionals, especially those in isolated areas using telemedicine tools; ii) Strengthening of hospital information systems by taking advantage of full potential offered by open-source software.

Methods

Our research was performed on the activities carried out in Mali and in part through the RAFT (Réseau en Afrique Francophone pour la Télémédecine) Network. We focused mainly on the activities of e-learning, telemedicine, and hospital information systems. These include the use of platforms that work with low Internet connection bandwidth. With regard to information systems, our strategy is mainly focused on the improvement and implementation of opensource tools.

Results

Several telemedicine application projects were reviewed including continuing online medical education and the support of isolated health professionals through the usage of innovative tools. This review covers the RAFT project for continuing medical education in French-speaking Africa, the tele-radiology project in Mali, the “EQUI-ResHuS” project for equal access to health over ICT in Mali, The “Pact-e.Santé” project for community health workers in Mali.We also detailed a large-scale experience of an open-source hospital information system implemented in Mali: “Cinz@n”.

Conclusion

We report on successful experiences in the field of telemedicine and on the evaluation by the end-users of the Cinz@n project, a pilot hospital information system in Mali. These reflect the potential of healthcare-ICT for Sub-Saharan African countries.

Keywords

Telemedicine - tele-expertise - teleradiology - ultrasonography - Africa