Telemedicine Diffusion in a Developing Country: A Case of Nigeria

Abstract

Nigeria has continued to suffer major set-back in the area of Public Healthcare which has purportedly resulted in high mortality rate and economic meltdown. According to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), healthy lives and proper well-being of individuals must be maintained by year 2030. Despite the steady rise in Nigeria population growth, health care coverage continues to be an expensive worldwide epidemic. Telemedicine along with other Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Solutions have played a huge role in ensuring this goal is achieved because of its convenience and benefits. This study explores the various ways telemedicine has assisted in achieving sustainable development goals on Global Healthcare Coverage, it also poses its significance. Questions about current state of telemedicine are also being raised. Systematic Literature review was carried out. Qualitative analysis carried out suggests that telemedicine has proven its self to be necessary and extremely beneficial and is consistently showing signs that it will continue to thrive and service Nigeria, West Africa.

Are we there yet? Unbundling the potential adoption and integration of telemedicine to improve virtual healthcare services in African health systems

“… [ 42 ] Cross-sectional Nigeria Consultations between patients and healthcare workers, emergency calls in experimental innovations like telesurgery Lack of finance and lack of awareness of telemedicine services and shortage of ICT resources. [ 43 ] Review Nigeria For diagnosing and treating Patients remotely Security and privacy issues [ 44 ] Cross-sectional Cameroon teleconsultation Lack of regulatory regulations and training to frame and ease access to the use of telemedicine [ 45 ] Cross-sectional Nigeria Virtual care Lack of internet connection, low internet tariffs, and uninterrupted electricity. No guidelines that guarantee the patients data security, privacy, and confidentiality [ 46 ] Commentary Africa Mental health (counselling, consultation) No guidance on the use of telemedicine for the delivery of mental healthcare, there is no standard of service delivery for telemedicine platforms in mental health care, and a lack of clarity regarding liability.…”

“…Ethics are critical to any technological interventions to healthcare in any part of the world and they have been a hindrance to the adoption of digital health for many innovations. The use of telepathy and telemedicine services may potentially violate doctor-patient privacy and other ethical issues like confidentiality, consent and security [ 28 , 43 ] often make digital health interventions fail. Therefore, these ethical issues need to be addressed [ 60 ].…”

Overview of Satellite Communications and its Applications in Telemedicine for the underserved in Nigeria: A case study

“…The project provided eight (8) telemedicine nodes across the country via the NigComSat-1 satellite. The nodes serve as a point to interface patients with specialists located in Lagos and Abuja [23].…”

“…This review discussed the vision for the architecture and financial structure as important project features to note when setting up telemedicine facilities across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [23]. The vision and financial design must facilitate the required scope and provide sufficient funds for the project.…”

Current State of ICT in Healthcare Delivery in Developing Countries

“…Based on their findings, some of the issues that affect the development of e-health identified include, e-health standards, ICT and health policies, ICT competence, elegislation, and e-health infrastructure. [30] Examined the diffusion of telemedicine practices in Ghana, and like any other developing countries in Africa, health centers and facilities in Ghana are not enough to be accessible by everyone. However, ehealth in Ghana has shown great promises with the recent development of the Novartis telemedicine project in Bonasso.…”