The World Bank www.worldbank.org Board of Executive Directors have approved an International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan for $56 million. The funding is going to help Gabon a state on the west coast of Central Africa develop ICT to help more patients.
The funding will enable patients in the national health system through the e-Gabon project to have access to quality and affordable health services as well as eHealth and other useful applications tailored to local needs. They are also looking to work with entrepreneurs plus others seeking to conduct business in the digital economy.
The Ministry of Health, ANINF, and CNAMGS will work together to develop and roll out a new National health Information System (NHIS) by harnessing ICT to support the needs of both clinical staff and health system managers.
It is also expected to improve accountability and work productivity for health professionals both in terms of reducing the administrative burden for healthcare workers plus reduce administrative and medical errors.
The plan is to significantly change the way in which health workers deliver care especially health workers that deliver care in rural areas. The e-Gabon system will make it easier for healthcare providers to have easier access to relevant specialists in urban areas.
e-Gabon is the first project to implement the recommendations of the 2016 World Bank’s “World Development Report on Digital Dividends” www.worldbank.or/en/publication/wdr2016.
This report emphasizes the need to implement human resources information systems, logistics management information systems, clinical decision support tools, digital payments, financial management information systems, and SMS reminder systems.