Information Society Watch

July 2002, J. Ghosh, C.P. Chandrasekhar, Bulletin of Medicus Mundi Switzerland

This article considers some of the technological changes which could affect health conditions in developing countries. The authors focus on some experiences of using ICTs in health and other sectors in India that are indicative of how the potential of ICTs can be exploited in developing countries. The paper further considers the constraints on the realisation of such potential. The conceptual framework of this paper is based on the notion that ICTs can affect health conditions in poor countries both directly and indirectly. It can work directly by improving health care provision and disease prevention. ICTs can also work indirectly on the health status of the population through their affects on the broader determinants of health, such as growth, the economic position of households, and the social infrastructure (Adapted from authors).

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