Uganda embraces E Health

It is a new year and most of us have new hopes, dreams and objectives for our lives, families, communities, countries, name it! For Uganda, a new dream is being realized i.e. E Health.

Officials in Uganda Communications Commission, Ministries of Information and Communication Technology along side the Health Ministry have drafted a policy that suggests that the country will move toward using e-health solutions such as distance learning (for health specialists), telemedicine and drug information and records. These will help the country in offering better health care.

Physicians, doctors and other health care practitioners shall be in position to provide health care services to their patients through electronic or digital means.

E health employs technology that makes it possible for health care providers to care for their patients in distant or remote areas. Health personnels have the ability to collect and transfer medical data, still images and live audio and video transmissions from one health center to another.

It is being used in most developed countries and has proved it's worth i.e. it's ability to provide interactive health care; utilizing modern technology and telecommunications.

For the patients, travel costs will be cut and for the health specialists, the practice will be rewarding especially when one considers sharing valuable medicine information with more experienced medical practitioners within/ outside the country hence making the project versatile and effective.

During the launch, the ICT Minister- Dr. Ham Mulira noted that the project is an important tool for providing better health care services.

Dr. Otaala Emmanuel, State Minister for Primary Health Care argued that Mulago Hospital (main referal hospital in the country) will link the country's largest health facility to India to share on open-heart surgery.

Alongside the above, other four main referal hospitals in East, West North and Southern parts of the country shall be linked to Mulago to share information.

The project is being implemented by Rural Communications Development Fund (RCDF); under the ICT Ministry.

Mr. Bob Lyazi, RCDF Director noted that the all district health officials shall be in position to exchange information with the main server at the health ministry.

The use of smart phones, computers, the internet and other necessary ICTs shall be employed to make the project a success.

Sandra