Improving Health, Fighting Poverty: The Role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

Introduction

New information and communication technologies (ICTs) offer potentially powerful tools to improve health, contribute to poverty elimination and speed up the process of human development. But there is a ‘real risk' of marginalising poor people and poor countries. Moving from potential to real benefit is a challenge. How can ICT activities foster empowerment rather than lead to new dependencies? How can the potential of ICTs be ‘harnessed systematically' to bring about improvements in the health of the poor?

Learning lessons from previous attempts to transfer technology is essential. Panos [Institute] refers to a history of ‘failed initiatives to transfer technologies to developing countries', caused in part by a lack of participation by the supposed beneficiaries. Ethical issues abound when introducing technology into a society. Concepts to consider include: who has access to and control of the technology, what resources are needed to sustain and maintain it, who benefits and who is left out, whose needs are being met and what the risks are.

Key points

1. Communication, not technology, should be the central concern.
2. Strong health systems and other basic services are essential for effective use of ICTs.
3. Increased capacity to access, organise, repackage and use information effectively is a major priority.
4. Local ownership, participation and content improve the relevance of ICT activities.
5. ICTs should complement other communication work and be integrated into broader programmes.