Human beings have a fundamental right to health, which must be equally distributed to all. To be able to provide the prevention, care, treatment and rehabilitative services needed for its population, Rwanda has embarked on an ambitious journey to transform its socio-economic situation by changing its economy from an agriculture-based to a knowledge-based economy. In this context, Rwanda has identified the use of science and technology as a key tool for achieving our socio-economic transformation and reaching the MGDs. Although a high tech strategy may appear inappropriate for the health system of a developing country, this is is not applicable to Rwanda because our health sector ICT plan is integrated into two master plans: our health sector strategic plan and our national ICT plan. We know that e-Health is vital in order to create an effective and sustainable health system, as it will help us solve challenges in our health system, such as the lack of infrastructure and the shortage of professionals (since roads are still a problem in some remote areas, sending information, plans, and reports by ICT saves time and money).

Another reason why ICT for E-Health should be developed is because the right to health cannot be separated from the right to information, and the use of new information and communication technologies is the most accurate and timely way to provide information.

A good flow of information concerns four categories in the health sector: the patients, the policy makers, the care providers and the program managers. When it comes to patients, they need to be educated on their health needs and on how, when, and where to seek proper care. Also, once on treatment, patients should know why it is important to go for timely medical follow up appointments and be compliant to treatment, since it not only aids their recovery, but also helps to avoid dangerous resistances to epidemic diseases like HIV. Patients would be informed of these things by making ICT tools available to health professional at all level: community health workers would use phones, while central and district managers, health centres, district hospitals and referral hospitals would use web-based tools. For policy makers and program managers, ICT is important because it helps to design health policies and programs that are informed by evidence and based on accurate information. In general, the use of ICT has proven to be the more effective, secure, rapid and accurate way to serve patients and program managers. This is why the Government of Rwanda has put ICT as a top priority for its health development and recognizes that there is an urgent need to build e-Health capacity.

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The following post by Dr. Agnes Binagwaho, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health of Rwanda, is part of Disruptive Women’s “The Value of Health: Creating Economic Security in the Developing World” series.

Dr. Binagwaho is a pediatrician specializing in emergency pediatrics, neonatology, and the treatment of HIV/AIDS in children and adults. She has served 4 years as Chair of the Rwandan Steering Committee for the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and was responsible for the management of the World Bank MAP Project in Rwanda, while also serving on the country’s High Commission on Aid Policy.

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A few days ago the world celebrated Mental Health Day, and more recently it was the Human Rights Day, as such I have decided to post a reflection on the rights of all people to access mental health care as a part of the access to health care as a basic Human Right. I especially dedicate this reflection to the issues surrounding access to quality mental health care services for women.

Unfortunately, in the majority of the developing world, mental health is not an issue that is given adequate attention. However, if we take the definition of WHO, mental health plays as important part in overall health as the physical aspects do. To improve mental health, governments have to create a well-trained and well-equipped workforce to care for mental health and ensure that the funding and human and physical infrastructures are available. This will help to increase access to mental health care, but should be completed by making drugs available, like psychotropic drugs. Many of these medications are not so expensive and can be part of public essential drugs available at public health facilities. It is a matter of paying attention to the problem.

Also, the general population should be educated via mass media campaigns so that they will have less fear and a better understanding of mental health diseases and those who suffer from them, causing mental health patients to suffer from less isolation, stigma and discrimination. This can be done by partnering the government with civil society organizations to improve the public education on this issue through TV, radio, speeches, billboards and community events.

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