1. ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau
ICT Applica-tions
E-health
ITU ICT Applications Strategies and Resources
Presentation
ICT Applications and Cybersecurity Division International Telecommunication Union UN Specialized Agency in Charge of ICTs

2. e-Applications: A Priority for Development
The ITU Plenipotentiary Conference 2010 in Guadalajara, Mexico adopted a new Resolution that calls on ITU to give priority consideration to the expansion of telecommunication/ICT initiatives for e-health. (Resolution PP-183, Guadalajara, 2010)
A new Resolution on e-health was also adopted in 2010 at the World Telecommunication Development Conference on Improving access to healthcare services by using information and communication technologies. (Resolution WTDC-65, Hyderabad, 2010)
A new Resolution on e-government was also adopted in 2010 at the World Telecommunication Development Conference on More effective adoption of e-government services
(Resolution WTDC-74, Hyderabad, 2010)
Electrnic health (e-health) is :
ITU-D’s ICT Applications and Cybersecurity Division has responsibility for implementation of Programme 3: Identified e-health, e-government and e-environment as the three priority domains for the ICT applications area

3. Facilitating national e-health planning
A “National e-Health Strategy toolkit” was
Developed that consists of a methodology and
set of resources to guide country decision makers
to develop their national e-Health strategy and
roadmap.
The toolkit will be made available March 2012
The toolkit will be followed by rollout activities
to disseminate it and to work with countries towards having
a national approach to using ICT for Health. 3

4. Documenting new ICT Applications M-Government
Published a report with OECD on “Mobile Government for responsive governments and connected society”
The report documents the use mobile technologies to enhance government’s performance, improve public service delivery, and engage citizens and civil society organizations in policy and decision making both in developed and developing countries,
The report is available at: . 4

5. Commission on Information and Accountability for Women and Children’s health
ITU co-vice-chaired the Commission’s on Information and Accountability for Women and Children’s health that was set up by UN SG to propose a framework for global reporting, oversight and accountability on women's and children's health.
ITU in collaboration with WHO provided a background paper on Information and Communication Technology’s contribution to accountability for women’s and children’s health and the role that ICT could play to enhance accountability for resources and results to fulfil MDG 4 and 5. The paper is available:
ITU is also involved in the implementation of the work plan set by the Commission 5

6. Facilitating e-health infrastructure planning
A report entitled Scaling e-Health services in step with ICT transformation was published to provide guidance to e-Health planners on which e-Health services can be deployed immediately with available infrastructure and which additional services can be added as the infrastructure is transformed.
The report is available at:
The scoping study:
-Provides an initial outline of a general methodology for implementing ICTs in health
-Aims to help developing countries avoid costly errors
-Intends to enhance the efficiency of health systems and ultimately support the sustainable and effective use of such services 6

7. Facilitating e-health Standardization
ITU’s Standardization Sector has released a Technology Watch Report that looks to the future of e-health.
The report observes that e-health development will require more universal e-health interoperability standards, and strategies to overcome technical infrastructure barriers and address privacy, security, and other legal requirements.
The report is available:
The scoping study:
-Provides an initial outline of a general methodology for implementing ICTs in health
-Aims to help developing countries avoid costly errors
-Intends to enhance the efficiency of health systems and ultimately support the sustainable and effective use of such services 7

8. Facilitating e-health Standardization
ITU Standardization and Development sectors are planning to strengthen their work on eHealth Standardization in collaboration with WHO and other international organizations.
Some activities are already planned such as an international workshop on eHealth Standardization to take place around next April 2012. 8

9. Wireless Broadband Initiative
ITU and WHO have been working together with the ICT industry on the African Health Infoway (AHI), as part of ITU’s Wireless Broadband Initiative.
WHO will coordinate the development and installation of computer systems, while ITU facilitates the deployment of infrastructure in countries in collaboration with national telecommunication carriers, and other technology partners
Expected outcomes :
Develop and deploy wireless networks
Guarantee capacity for schools and hospitals
Train local experts and build human capacity
Develop ICT Applications: e-health, e-education, e-government
We are launching an ambitious initiative to expand broadband access in Africa
Each partner has an important role to play:
Industry will develop networks, allocating some capacity for public use
Governments will handle permits, licenses, policy and regulation
And, ITU will assist countries with project management, capacity building 9

10. Technical countries assistance
Conducted a “Country Assessment and Feasibility study” in Nepal to identify potential scalable and sustainable Mobile e-Health (mHealth) services for improved health outcomes from 25th April-7th May 2011.
3 concept notes were proposed for possible mHealth projects
The scoping study:
-Provides an initial outline of a general methodology for implementing ICTs in health
-Aims to help developing countries avoid costly errors
-Intends to enhance the efficiency of health systems and ultimately support the sustainable and effective use of such services 10

11. Facilitating e-health Information Sharing
ITU co-organized with WHO an e-Health Pavilion during the ITU World Telecom October 2011 where there was a very dynamic set of showcases and side talks from around the world
The agenda and presentations are available: 11

12. Facilitating e-health information sharing
ITU organized many events about ICT Applications:
Forum on Health Information Systems (HIS) jointly organized by ITU, USAID, WHO, DFID, NORAD in Manila, Philippines, June 2011,
Regional meeting on e-Health for Asia Pacific region in Tokyo, Japan that was hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), March 2011,
WSIS C7 Facilitation meeting on e-Health held on the 18th May 2011 in Geneva
Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on ICT Applications was held on May 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The scoping study:
-Provides an initial outline of a general methodology for implementing ICTs in health
-Aims to help developing countries avoid costly errors
-Intends to enhance the efficiency of health systems and ultimately support the sustainable and effective use of such services 12

13. Remaining Challenges Need for improved evidence of the economic and
social benefits of e-Health
Problems achieving interoperable e-Health applications
Many pilots for e-Health projects exist, but scalability is an issue
Improved communication between telecom and health sectors
eHealth could make a huge contribution to maternal and child health and even immunization; but the message has not been accepted so far. 13

14. Conclusions/Key messages
The introduction of e-Health applications requires multidisciplinary collaboration and the telecommunication and healthcare sectors have to work together
Successful e-Health services require commitment to
promote national strategies and facilitate
capacity building
Developing countries urgently need a strategic document – eHealth Master Plan and a Roadmap
The telecommunication and health care sectors have to work together in developing national e-Health strategies
Successful e-Health services require more than just technology: Committed policymakers who promote national strategies and facilitate capacity building are essential for the e-Health system to work in practice.
Developing countries can not speed up the implementation of badly needed eHealth services without close cooperation with telecom sector.
Developing countries urgently need a strategic document – eHealth Master Plan
ITU-D is ready to assist its Member State in strengthening their in e-Health capacity to increase the impact and effectiveness of their investment in this field.

15. Enhanced Collaboration in Europe Region
European Regional Initiative on E-Applications, Including E-Health (m-Health)
Concept Presentation
E-Applications
E-Health
M-Health
Presentation
Europe Coordination Unit and ICT Applications Division International Telecommunication Union

16. European Regional Initiatives
WTDC-10 Resolution 17 (Rev. Hyderabad, 2010)
E-accessibility in Central and Eastern Europe (Internet and digital television) for blind people and people with visual impairment problems
Digital broadcasting
ICT applications, including e-health
Standardized Process for Implementation
Identification of the challenge at the RPM level
WTDC decision on regional initiative
Background Material
Consultative Meeting
Proposal of Project Document
Feedback of Membership
Implementation of Project

17. M-Health: Emerging Challenges
Technology and Business
Regulation and Policy
Technical feasibility
Standardization
Interoperability, scalability
Ubiquitous health services
Nomad access, mobile voice, data
National, regional, international
Cloud computing
ICT and Healthcare ecosystems
User acceptance and demand
New models for healthcare
Reimbursement models
Liability
Service providers, network or infrastructure operators, manufacturers
Policy makers and regulators: Telecom vs. Health regulation
Definition of medical device certification, quality assurance
Security and privacy issues
Medical confidentiality
Data protection and retention
AAA: Authorization and authentication, accounting
Universal service obligation
Ubiquitous healthcare service

18. ITU Europe Regional Initiative on E-applications, including E-health
Focus: Europe Region (43 Countries)
Objective: To share best practices in the implementation of e-applications, including e-health.
Expected results :
Faster and easier storage of, transmission of and access to medical data and health-related information for healthcare providers and professionals, citizens/patients, academics, researchers, policy-makers and others
Capacity building and improved delivery of healthcare services, particularly in rural and remote areas
Reduction of operational and administrative costs in implementing healthcare services

19. Proposed Way Forward for 2012
Preliminary Web Research on e-Health and m-Health in Europe
Track One
Track Two
Technology and Business
Concept Paper
Legal and Regulatory Issues
Fundraising
Partnership Building
Increased Participation and Scale up of Activities
Elaboration of the Project Document
Background Paper Technology and Business
Background Paper Legal and regulation
ITU Experts Group Meeting of Regional Initiative for Europe on ICT Applications, in particular e-Health: m-Health: Towards Care, Cure and Prevention (25-26 September, Geneva)
Workshop Report and Publication
Review of the Project Document

20. Phase Two: Towards Concrete Deliverables and Impact
Comprehensive report on m-health with two tracks
E-Repository of m-health case studies
Regulatory and policy assessment kit
Twinning programme for transfer of knowledge
Direct assistance to countries
European Member States and other Stakeholders

21. Thank you very much for your attention!
Europe Coordination Unit, BDT (EUR)
International Telecommunication Union
ICT Applications Division, BDT
International Telecommunication Union

22. Additional Resources
ITU statistical database of ICT indicators per country and region (
Expert aid in drafting and implementing national e-Health projects (
Training opportunities (
Policy and regulatory reports and symposia (
Regional office in Addis Ababa to support Member States in Africa (
eHealth could make a huge contribution to maternal and child health and even immunization; but the message has not been accepted so far. 22

23. Thank You! For more information on
ITU’s ICT Applications Activities visit the website at:
or contact 23