Anne Stake

Digital health could provide an opportunity for the development of African health systems given the high penetration rate of mobile telephones and mobile phone usage. Digital technology is a key factor that will expand universal health coverage by eliminating several barriers such as costs, complicated access, and lack of quality of care, while extending the range of services, particularly in regions where infrastructure and personnel are scarce or non-existent. The World Health Organization (WHO) emphasises that digital health is essential in achieving universal health coverage as “it extends the scope, transparency and accessibility of health services and health information, widening the population base capable of accessing the available health services and offering innovation and efficiency gains in the provision of health care”