EXPERTS URGE REVIEW OF E-HEALTH STRATEGIES TO ADVANCE HEALTH, EDUCATION IN ECOWAS

By Vincess Okushi 

An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) expert has stressed the transformative role of ICT in advancing education and healthcare across the ECOWAS region.

During a delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Joint Committee held in Conakry, Dr Jacob Kassam, a former member of the Nigerian House of Assembly, noted the potential of ICT to bridge critical gaps in key sectors, enhancing service delivery throughout West Africa.

In his presentation titled “The Role of Telecommunications and Information Technologies in Promoting Education and Health Services in the ECOWAS Region,” Dr. Kassam pointed out the significant surge in telemedicine and health-tech innovations, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Dr Kassam, health-tech financing experienced a notable increase, rising by 81% in 2021 and reaching $170 million in 2022. 

This boom, he said, reflects the growing reliance on digital solutions in the health and education sectors.

He stresses the importance of leveraging the rapid growth of ICT infrastructure in the region to align with international standards in education, thereby laying a strong foundation for future development.

Dr. Kassam therefore, called on parliamentarians to take decisive action in addressing existing gaps by developing legislative frameworks that will bolster ICT implementation efforts across the subregion.

Information Technology encompasses a wide range of systems, including internet-based platforms, communication technologies, and the infrastructure that supports them.

Dr Kassam explained that these technologies are essential for empowering individuals and organizations to operate more efficiently and effectively in today’s digital age, noting that health education goes beyond the mere dissemination of information, as it plays a crucial role in fostering the motivation, skills, and confidence needed to promote proactive healthhealth management.

ICT tools, such as mobile phones, VoIP, and broadcast networks, provide unparalleled opportunities for children and young people to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to lead healthy lives and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable world.

The expert while drawing on the African Union’s (AU) continental strategy on education for youth health and well-being,  called for a similar approach in the ECOWAS region. 

This, he argued, would strengthen the connection between health and education, particularly for Africa’s young population.

He also pointed out the significant challenges facing ICT regulation in West Africa, citing the role of the West African Telecommunication Regulators Association (WATRA) in harmonizing national ICT policies, spectrum licensing, and establishing common regulatory responsibilities across the region, highlighting the need to address the lack of affordable internet access, particularly in rural areas, which has hindered progress in health education, especially for vulnerable populations.

He opined that with the right strategies,  ICT can equip citizens with the skills, values, and knowledge necessary to improve health outcomes and overall quality of life.

And urged policymakers to thoroughly review existing e-health strategies across Africa and conduct assessments in West Africa to ensure that digital health initiatives are narrowed to the region’s cultural, infrastructural, and financial realities.

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