ICT s and National Health Security Promotion

1. ICTsand National Health Security Promotion Olusola Oresanya, MD, IMPH Public Health Specialist

2. Outline • Introduction • Aim • Nigerian context • The role of ICTs in health security • ICT tools in health • The role of women • Conclusion

3. Introduction

4. Health Defined… • WHO defines ‘health’ as ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’ • This suggests that one could be physically alright but still be unhealthy • Mental stress or social instability contribute to negative health status • Health is a dynamic condition resulting from a body's constant adjustment and adaptation in response to stresses and changes in the environment for maintaining an inner equilibrium called homeostasis

5. …and Public Health Security? • This is defined as the provision and maintenance of measures aimed at preserving and protecting the health of the population • It is also defined as the policy areas in which national security and public health concerns overlap • The spread of infectious disease can be considered a security threat, along with the drugs trade as well as bioterrorism • Protecting the safety and well-being of citizens is now seen as a central security concern for governments • Global Health Security Initiative established by some G8 countries, Mexico and EU in 2001 WHO, 2014

6. Aim • Health security can be guaranteed both at population and individual levels • This lecture aims at • linking ICTs to health security promotion within the Nigerian context • Highlighting examples of ICTs currently being used in securing public health, as well as • Recommending what can be done at individual levels

7. In Nigeria… • 36,000 women die every year in pregnancy or at child birth • At least 5500 of these deaths are among teenage mothers • Nigeria contributes 13 % of the global maternal death rates (576/100,000 live births) • Chronic illnesses also on the rise e.g. HBP, cancers, DM • Health outcomes correlate with literacy/education • ICRW research shows that women are more likely to control their own destinies and effect change in their own communities when they have higher levels of education. • NDHS 2013 puts Women Literacy in Nigeria at 47% with variations across the country NDHS 2013; ICRW

8. Female Literacy rate in Nigeria by state in 2013. < 35% < 35% 35-50%  50-60% 60-70%  60-70%  50-60% 80-90% 70-80%  80-90% 80-90% > 90% 

9. Where does ICT come in? • The global dialogue about "eHealth" and health information technologies is gaining momentum • One of the key public health strategies used to achieve better health outcomes is communication for behavioural change • Ignorance and poor access to services are major contributors to negative and sometimes fatal health outcomes • Investing in efficient, accessible, and cost-effective information and communication technology (ICT) tools can help to improve health outcomes and prevent diseases in low-resource settings • ICT therefore provides a major platform to secure the health of the populace • The internet is awash with information on different aspects of health for instance, all you need to do is access it! (however, with caution)

10. ICT tools in public health • Global Alert and Response – track and respond to disease outbreaks of int’l importance. E.g. EBV • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)  technology to map individual patients/study participants addresses using geospatial reference data to allow for easier home-visit follow-ups during both annual disease surveillance sampling, vaccination campaign, disease hot-spots and high-risk pregnancy check-ups • "mHealth" (mobile health) tools - cell phones for paperless data entry and patient and biological specimen verification/tracking in the field (using unique identification numbers and barcode)

11. ICT tools in public health - 2 • SMS for life – aimed at improving access to essential malaria medicines in rural areas of developing countries. It uses a combination of mobile phones, SMS messages, the Internet and electronic mapping technology to track weekly stock levels at public health facilities in order to eliminate stock-outs (reduced from 79% to 26% in 6month in Tanzania) • Data management systems -real time online access to NHMIS on the DHIS platform. Mobile phone options or hard-to-reach areas

12. ICT tools in public health - 3 • Teleradiology in Mali- provides a solution for the lack of trained radiologists in rural hospitals, by offering the possibility to send or receive x-ray scans and diagnosis over the internet. • In-clinic patient identification systems (including fingerprint scanning) that are linked to electronic medical record databases, allowing for more streamlined access to clinical history and patient information • Health tips as sent as SMS to mobile phones • Online Training courses for health workers

13. So what can I do as a woman ? • Take charge of your own health security, be ICT compliant • Access the wealth of information available on the www • You can now subscribe to health tips as text messages from any communication network • Use the social media networks to share information • Demand for information from your health provider • Do your pap smear and HPV tests routinely • Remove any breast lumps as soon as they are detected

14. Negative effects of ICT • Reduced physical activity: A negative effect of ICT is that users may adopt a more sedentary lifestylecausing obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. • Backache from wrong sitting position while on the computer, eye problem from computer glare etc • Many countries have workplace regulations to prevent problems such as repetitive strain injury or eyestrain, but lack of physical exercise is rarely addressed as a specific health hazard. • Eat healthy, exercise, use dance DVDs

15. Conclusion • The interrelation of ICTs and health security cannot be overemphasised • Although a lot is being done in the health sector in terms of ICTs, there is still a long way to go in Nigeria • To intervene successfully in the reduction of maternal mortality, empowerment of women and education of the girl child are key • Improve health in the community; rural access to resources and basic medical services are achievable through appropriate use of ICTs

16. Thank you