What is eHealth?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has defined eHealth as “the cost-effective and secure use of ICT in support of health and health-related fields including healthcare services, health surveillance, health literature, and health education, knowledge and research” (WHO EMRO, 2007). eHealth is also used as an umbrella term for ICT use in provision of health services at a distance (telehealth), management of clinical and administrative information (health informatics), and sharing information and knowledge with health care providers, patients and communities (eLearning).

What can eHealth do for Pakistan?

eHealth has shown to improve access to and quality of care, and reduce cost of services. Several institutions in Pakistan have initiated pilots in this field to test the technology in Pakistani setting and prove the benefits to local communities, care providers and the system. There was a need to build networks to share and enhance knowledge, and to advocate for policy support for broader implementation of eHealth programs. This could be done by bringing together eHealth experts and other stakeholders from different parts of Pakistan, and establish the network for knowledge sharing, advocacy and policy change.

How was eHAP formed?

To meet the above needs and in order to bring awareness, build capacity and support policy making in eHealth, a joint meeting of experts in Telehealth (Telemedicine) and technology use for health information management and learning was held at Islamabad Serena hotel on November 27, 2008.The group announced the formation of eHealth Association Pakistan (eHAP). The structure and Philosophy of this group was finalized in its Board Meeting held on February 25, 2009 at the Aga Khan University, Karachi and COMSATS Headquarters Islamabad simultaneously. Both locations were connected via video-conferencing. The new Association aims to increase awareness and capacity in the country to support eHealth as a viable option for improving health services. The association will also guide the government and private sectors in health to strengthen their systems by providing a common platform to share best practices and outcomes.

What can eHAP do?

The association will invite professionals and institutions from health care, Information Technology and communication sectors as members. The association has been registered eHAP as a National member of International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (ISfTeH). The initial structuring of eHealth Association is facilitated by the Aga Khan University, Karachi with funding from Rockefeller Foundation.

What is the structure for eHAP?

An interim board was established with sixteen members from all four provinces of Pakistan and the federal capital. A core-group was also elected with consensus to manage the affairs of the association. This group includes Dr. Asif Zafar Malik (Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi-President), Dr. Haroon Roedad Khan (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad-Vice President), Dr. Shariq Khoja (Aga Khan University, Karachi-Secretary General), Dr. Shahida Saleem (Sehat First, Karachi-Treasurer), Dr. Zakiuddin (eHealth Services, Karachi-Senior Advisor), and Dr. Aijaz Patoli (Directorate of Health, Sindh-Senior Advisor). The meetings were facilitated by the Aga University, Karachi.

How can eHAP help in achieving National Health Objectives?

According to the Health sector policy of Pakistan; all citizens in Pakistan should have access to affordable and quality health care. On contrary, WHO fielded a mission to Pakistan in 2007 with its objective to update knowledge and understanding on Pakistan’s health system reported a  lack of clear long-term vision for Pakistan health sector that would addresses the major health problems. The mission also found the health information system is fragmented and inefficient; with no organized system of disease surveillance.  The overall capacity to undertake health policy and systems research was also found to be deficient. The report also states that there is a general lack of information and understanding among policymakers of key health system functions. The capacity to use the available information in the federal MOH, provincial DOH and district health offices is also weak.

Potential of eHealth for Pakistan

eHealth brings within it self complete solutions to all these challenges. It has the potential to help improve the delivery of information and services to the healthcare community and to end-users i.e. the patients in the country. Through the help of telehealth/medicine, distance learning, Hospital, practitioner and citizen information networks, and other applications offer powerful tools to overcome some of the shortcomings and weaknesses caused by breakdowns in information-sharing, learning and management - crucial factors for a well-functioning health care system.

eHealth Association of Pakistan (eHAP) would use eHealth as a ‘power tool’ to create an efficient health care delivery system. eHAP would guide the government and private sector in health to strengthen the health system by use of eHealth. It would also serve as a forum for the collection, exchange and dissemination of information related to eHealth. eHAP will promote the use of eHealth by liaising, working and helping organizations, institutions, and government in implementation of eHealth solutions and activities  in order to improve the health system of Pakistan.

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