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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