Scientific article
OA Policy
English

Implementation of a Telemedicine Network in Angola: Challenges and Opportunities

Published inJournal of Health Informatics in Developing Countries, vol. 12, no. 1, p. 1-14
Publication date2018
Abstract

Background: The Angolan Ministry of Health is prioritizing the strengthening ofthe national health system at the districtlevel. Toattain this objective, theAngolan Ministry of Health decided todevelop a national telemedicine network in partnership with the Geneva University Hospitals(HUG)and the Portuguese Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine(IHMT).Methods: Telemedicine unitswerecreated in strategiclocationsto enable distance education and tele-expertiseactivities, usingsoftwaredeveloped by HUG adaptedto local conditions.Selected participants in each site weretrained with regards to theuse of the tools. A survey using questionnaires distributed to all participants was conducted toevaluate user satisfaction and the impact of the tools. Data were analysedusing a descriptive statistical model. Additionally,two working groups were held to discuss difficulties and find appropriate solutions.Results: Seven telemedicine units were established,and 107 health professionalsweretrained. Regarding distance education activities, over 70 courseswere designed and webcast,and95.6% of participants answered our survey showing a high level of overall satisfaction.Uptake of tele-expertise activities was poor. Only 3 cases were discussed,and 4.7% of participants answered the survey. This was explained by low levels of computer literacyand motivation among the participants. Thelack of a legislative frameworkandinternet accessin some places also played arole. Financial constraintshalted the process of extension of the network to additional sites.Conclusion: More research is neededto assess the impact of the network, to understand how to scale-up to other sites,and to conduct a cost-benefit analysis to justify the pursuit of the investments.

Keywords
  • Telemedicine
  • EHealth
  • Low-and middle-income countries
  • Africa
  • Telemedicine network
Citation (ISO format)
CORREIA, Jorge et al. Implementation of a Telemedicine Network in Angola: Challenges and Opportunities. In: Journal of Health Informatics in Developing Countries, 2018, vol. 12, n° 1, p. 1–14.
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Article (Published version)
accessLevelPublic
Identifiers
  • PID : unige:157553
Additional URL for this publicationhttps://jhidc.org/index.php/jhidc/article/view/171
Journal ISSN1178-4407
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