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Use of Space Technology in the Global Efforts to Enhance Health and Medical Services Kwankam Y. S. Coordinator, eHealth, World Health Organization [email protected] Countries increasingly see good health as fundamental to human development and national prosperity. Space technology can contribute to the improvement of global health. The paper points out a few less well-known applications that have either had a great impact or have the potential to do so. They include, the key role of space-based telemetry in the control of river blindness, radiation protection, global disease surveillance, WHO's Strategic Health Operations Center (SHOC), disaster relief, ambulance video links, and malaria modeling. But there is much more that can be done in terms of spreading the benefits of the technology, in particular bridging the Digital Divide, which exists between north and south. We suggest three areas in which space technology can contribute to achieving target 18 of the Millennium Development Goals: connectivity - make channel capacity available for health purposes; develop human resources for health to alleviate the overall worldwide shortages of health professionals, which is further aggravated by migration of professionals for a variety of reasons, including the quest for greener pastures abroad; and informing both health professionals and citizens. Worldwide coverage is possible, with any number of satellite systems. But for satellite technology to contribute to improved health outcomes, we must address the key influence pathways to these outcomes. Our strategies should be concerned with the ecology of medical care; capacity building in health; and informing both professionals and lay citizens about health. WHO is addressing the subject of space technology for health as part of a broader concept eHealth, the use of digital information and communication technologies (ICT) in health. In response to the growing demand of Member States for advice and guidance on eHealth, the Organization has prepared a strategy in the context of the Charter of the United Nations and WHO's core. The strategy has four strategic directions: Policy; Equitable Access; Quality, safety and security; and Best use A networked Global eHealth Observatory initiative will document and analyze developments and trends, inform policy and practice in countries, and report regularly on the use of eHealth worldwide. Drawing on national centres and promoting networks of excellence in eHealth, the Observatory will help to identify best practices and opportunities for policy coordination, as well as identify needs for the provision of technical support and capacity building. Health is an indispensable resource for sustainable development and space technology can be used to improve health locally, nationally and globally. Key words: Global eHealth Observatory, Space technology, eHealth