Developing countries and e-health services

The Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has formed the Study Group 2 of the ITU Development Sector to answer the need to implement of telemedicine which was widely addressed and questioned since the World Telecommunication Development Conference in Buenos Aires. The Conference noted that "the widespread use of telemedicine services could allow universal health access and consequently facilitate the solution of the principal health problems connected with infectious diseases, pediatrics, cardiology etc., particularly in areas where medical structures are inadequate or non-existing." Although telemedicine will give benefit to any countries, it will be especially very helpful in developing countries, because these countries normally faced with problem of inadequate of lack of medical infrastructure. Implementation of e-health services requires multidisciplinary collaboration, with the active participation of telecommunication operators and health care professionals. There is a need to bridge the gap between the telecommunication and health care communities at all levels. National Ministries of Health and Telecommunications also need to work together towards introduction of a e-health/telemedicine policy and achievement of universal service where emergency services, health and social information systems are concerned. The creation of national associations, committees, task forces and the like, with a multidisciplinary composition, is necessary to bring together telecommunication and health professionals, lawyers, industry and others to assist with awareness-raising at national level.