Fourth International eHealth Conference held

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Fourth International eHealth Conference held

E-health Association of Pakistan (eHAP) in collaboration with Aman Foundation organized fourth International eHealth Conference in Karachi. The theme of the conference was ‘Potential of Mobile Health (mHealth) in developing countries.’ It was attended by national and international delegates including students, IT professionals, health providers, policy makers and stakeholders. The conference provided an opportunity to all partners to identify gaps and find new prospects for use of e-Health in Pakistan.

Senator Dr. Karim Khawja speaking as the Chief Guest on the occasion said that Pakistan is straining to deal with the increasing demand and shortage of skilled healthcare doctors for the population of over 180 million. To cater the need of the population, country has to move toward eHealth policy. Pakistan has world class IT and telecom professional and well networking of healthcare facility for far reaching telecom infrastructure with special reference to mobile phone network. There is need to coordinate with these resources for a better health policy. It is high time to call for more objective oriented, multidisciplinary policies guidelines, formulation of strategies through involvement of stakeholders.

He appreciated the efforts of eHAP for organizing such an important event of international status which address core issue of health, service delivery through the use of information and communication technology. He further said that such event not only narrow the knowledge gap in the area of digital device but also help stake holders to identify their role for resourcing outcome. It will also put long lasting impression on health service delivery mechanism in Pakistan. He assured all his political, technical assistance and support to promote the goal of healthcare delivery through the use of modern technology.

Dr. Shariq Khoja, CEO, Tech4Life Enterprises in his address informed that globally 800 women die every day from pregnancy related causes which are preventable whereas nearly 3.1 million newborn deaths occur. To improve the knowledge of mothers during pregnancy and newborn, UN initiated a pubic private partnership project in different countries which aimed to improve the knowledge and information of mother during pregnancy and child birth upto the age of 2 years. In this project, informative messages are sent on mobile of mothers and expected mother on how to care of themselves during pregnancy and their new born. The informative messages are available free of cost for everyone in 20 language and it is implemented at country level in many countries. These messages results in better care of women during their pregnancies.

Dr. Haroon Roedad Khan, President eHAP sharing his views on the occasion said that eHAP objective is to promote adoption and use of eHealth as an integral component of health services and education in Pakistan, through advocacy, evidence, access to recognized experts and resources, policy-support and capacity-building. He stressed that cooperation between healthcare and telecommunication professionals is essential to prepare an indigenous eHealth strategy in Pakistan.

Dr. Azeema Farid, Vice President eHAP informed that eHAP aims to share and enhance knowledge and advocate policy support for broader implementation of eHealth programs across Pakistan by bringing together eHealth experts and other stakeholders from different parts of Pakistan on one platform. The objective of e-HAP is to strengthen health systems in Pakistan using health solutions whereas it operates though a board, which has participation of major health stakeholders from Pakistan. It is also the national representative member of International Society of Telemedicine and Health (ISfTeH) and International Medical Informatics Association (IMIA).

Ms. Kirsten Gagnaire, Global Director, MAMA, Ms. Jehan Ara, President PASHA and Dr. Junaid Abdul Razzak, CEO Aman Healthcare Services also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, Scientific Sessions were held on mHealth in maternal and child health, mHealth for infectious disease and surveillance, mHealth for non-communicable diseases, innovation in mHealth and mHealth strategy for Pakistan. Scientific papers, Talk shows and panel discussions were also the part of eHealth Conference.

2017-04-26T12:35:02+00:00