African countries embrace eHealth, telemedicine to deliver care to diffuse populations

eHealth can make a significant impact in care delivery for those in rural areas. For those in Africa, eHealth makes the world of a difference for the millions of patients without healthcare.

Governments have already been using eHealth to reduce costs and increase the reach of healthcare, so using mHealth (mobile health) is a next step in giving the people of Africa easily accessible healthcare.

The program analysis by Frost & Sullivan's Connected Health Growth Partnership Service showed South Africa, Kenya and Ghana have experienced the biggest leap in embracing eHealth and health IT, with Kenya leading the market in digital health. Using mHealth telemedicine, governments have been able to increase awareness and education.

The hope is that eventually eHealth will lower the number of patients traveling to the hospital for ailments that could be solved remotely. Receiving care closer to their homes lower costs for both patients and hospital.

"The total eHealth market for South Africa, Kenya and Ghana is in a nascent stage with expectations of high long-term growth. Vendors offering quick and effective healthcare outcomes will gain a tremendous advantage. To enable this, public-private partnerships and integrated businesses will be apt business models," said Transformational Health Research Analyst Aditi Bhalla."Technology interoperability, strategic functioning as well as nurturing start-ups will drive the greatest opportunities in the eHealth business of South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. Stakeholders, however, must have a clear roadmap to ensure that their business keeps pace with evolving technologies."