Abstract
Disruptive technologies such as telemedicine and medical drones may be an important answer to Africa’s health-care crisis, but their potential contribution and challenges facing deployment remain unclear. Facing excessively high and worsening skilled health worker shortages, innovations that allow the completion of medical procedures in more convenient and less expensive settings by technicians and nurses instead of physicians and specialists could expand the reach of health-care services to the millions currently without access. Yet considerable challenges abound. This chapter examines the promise and challenge of disruptive technologies in health care in Africa. It argues that without a supportive legal environment and infrastructure, including secure but accessible personal health data systems, the potential benefit is not achievable or sustainable. The chapter concludes by outlining policy options for expanding geographic access to health care through disruptive technologies across Africa.
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Oppong, J. (2020). Disruptive Technologies and the African Health-Care Crisis: A Path to Sustainability. In: Arthur, P., Hanson, K., Puplampu, K. (eds) Disruptive Technologies, Innovation and Development in Africa. International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40647-9_6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-40647-9_6
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