Contemporarie issues in Ict

I have decided to have a look in number of contemporary’s issues about impact of it in health.. The use of it have been high in the health sector, Education system and development of technology such as (Ipod, blackberry and laptops) etc.Ict has the potential to impact upon almost every aspect of health sector. In public health, information management and communication process are essential, and are facilitated or limited by the available information and communication technology.

In developing countries, preventable diseases and premature deaths still inflict a high toll.Inequity of access to basic health services affects distinct regions, communities, and socialGroups. Under-financing of the health sector in most countries has led to quantitative andQualitative deficiencies in service delivery and to growing gaps in facility and equipmentUpkeep. Inefficient allocation of scarce resources and lack of coordination among keyStakeholders have made duplication of efforts, overlapping responsibilities, and resourceWastage common and troublesome problems.

Most countries are at some stage of health sector reform, trying to provide expanded and Equitable access to quality services while reducing or at least controlling the rising cost of Healthcare. Health reform processes have many facets and there is no single model being adopted by all countries (PAHO, 1998). ICTs have the potential to make a major contribution to improving access and quality of services while containing costs. Improving health involves improving public health and medical programs designed to provide elective, emergency, andlong-term clinical care; educating people; improving nutrition and hygiene; and providing More sanitary living conditions. These in turn ultimately involve massive social and economicChanges, as many health challenges go well beyond the health sector.

 The health sector has always relied on technologies. According to WHO (2004), they form the backbones of the services to prevent, diagnose, and treat illness and disease. Ict are only one category of the vast array of technologies that may be of use. Given the right Policies, organization, resources, and institutions, Ict can be powerful tools in the hands of those working to improve health.

Ict have been used in saving lives and prevented avoidable maternal deaths. Such as in South African, the use of mobile phone has enabled tuberculosis patients to receive timely reminder to take their medication. In developing countries, multimedia communication programs are increasing awareness of how community responses to HIV and AIDS can be strengthened. In Bangladesh and India, global satellite technology is helping to track outbreak of epidemic and ensure that effective prevention and treatment method can reach people in time.

Advantages of Ict in health care
 Reliable information and effective communication are crucial elements in public health
Practices. The use of appropriate technologies can increase the quality and the reach of both
Information and communication. Increased information helps people to improve their own
health. The ability of impoverished communities to access
Services and engage with and demand a health sector that responds to their priorities and
needs is influenced by wider information and communication processes mediated by Ict.
 The use of expert system (software using database) to guide diagnosis, recommend treatment and monitor implementation.
 Medical staff world wide have many opportunities to update their skill through internet –based advices and training initiative.
Case studies: Transforming healthcare through technology s

Disadvantages of Ict in health care.
In some of the electronic monitoring system, During an acute episode, patient may not be able to take their reading.
These are examples of how Ict have made an impact on health care

 IMPROVED DISSEMINATION: of public health and facilitated public disclosure and dialogue around major public health threat.

ENABLED REMOTE CONSULTATION: diagnosis treatment through telemedicine.
Support more effective research and the dissemination and access to research finding.

 Strengthened the ability to monitor the incidence of public health threats and respond in a more timely and effective manner and improved the efficiency of administrative system in health care facilities.

• Medical staff world-wide have many opportunities to update their skills through internet-based advice and training initiatives. For example, Moorfields Eye Hospital in London provides an internet-based consultancy service for ophthalmology patients in a number of African countries.