WHO EMRO’s approach for supporting e-health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

“E-health” is a generic term covering the use of computer and communication applica- tions and technologies in health and medical care. This paper outlines WHO’s dynamic and diversified approach for supporting e-health by the Regional Office of the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes: policy-setting; human resources development; planning, monitoring and evaluation; networking and communication; infrastructure development; consulting services; electronic publishing; systems devel- opment; e-learning; telemedicine; and online library services and support to HINARI. It also reviews some of the impediments towards development of e-health in the Region.