Why you should care about the health information and digital health landscape in the Pacific

We live in an increasingly digital world where more and more information are available through our laptops, mobile phones, or wearable devices like smartwatches, spurred by rapid development of technologies in the private sector. In turn, the public health sector has been utilizing this opportunity to improve health and well-being. In the Pacific, however, there is uneven development of health information systems and digital health tools.

Some Pacific island countries and areas (PICs) have quickly adopted new technologies, while some are lagging behind. Many PICs still face challenges such as a lack of basic information and communication technology infrastructure and internet connectivity as well as limited resources. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the total number of individuals using the internet in the Pacific ranges from 88% in Fiji to 32% in Papua New Guinea. However, as connectivity increases, it will become increasingly possible to use these technologies to deliver better health for everyone.

“Pacific island countries have the opportunity to already start harnessing the power of digital technology to scale up access to essential health information and services and to put the foundations in place for further development,” explains Dr Mark Jacobs, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the South Pacific and Director of Pacific Technical Support. “We can work together, right now, to plan ahead and design the right systems and tools which are tailored to local needs, support our health staff and maximise health impact.”

But what does this all mean for your health and wellbeing? Here are 5 reasons why you should care about advancing health information systems and digital health transformation in the Pacific.

1. You can track your own health information

When you have access to your health information, ideally in digital systems which are interoperable or interact together well, it helps you to make informed decisions and to take a proactive approach regarding your own health and those of your loved ones. For example, if you were a father with a 1-year-old baby, you can monitor your child’s vaccination records to find out when will be your next visit to the health clinic. Or if you were a middle-aged woman with diabetes, you can track your blood sugar levels over time and talk to your doctor if your medication needs adjustment.

When you can monitor and understand your own health information, you become more empowered and engaged on your health and well-being journey.

2. You can access health care easily

You may be unable to access a health facility for varying reasons. For example, you may have mobility issues so you can’t leave your house, or there may be external shocks – like a pandemic or local flooding – that can disrupt your access to health care services. Or maybe you live in a mountain village or remote island far away from the nearest doctor.

Digital health solutions can help bridge barriers to health care access by providing convenient and flexible ways for you to receive medical care and to manage your health. When done correctly and efficiently, digital health can contribute to more patient-centred and accessible health care services.

^{Telemedicine training with support from WHO in Pohnpei State, Federated States of Micronesia. Photo: WHO}

3. Your health workers can care for you better

You can get better quality of care if your health workers have on hand the right health information system and digital health technologies, as well as proper training on the use of these tools. When your primary care doctors, specialists, nurses, pharmacists, or laboratory experts share your health information through a smart system, they can work together better. This enables them to give you proper care, diagnose issues, and plan treatments more accurately.

Ultimately, health information systems and digital health technologies help empower your health workers with the tools and information they need to deliver personalized, evidence-based, and efficient care for you.

^{Niraj Kumar, Clinical Team Leader in Wainibokasi Hospital, shows how they use Fiji’s electronic medical record called PATISPlus. Photo: WHO/Faizza Tanggol}

4. You are better protected against disease outbreaks

When your public health authorities and health workers have access to working health information systems and digital health tools, they can monitor disease patterns, symptoms, and outbreaks in real-time, analyse data from various sources, detect unusual spikes, and respond to potential disease outbreaks faster and in a more targeted manner.

If the health information systems are updated in real-time, health authorities in your country can allocate the right resources where they’re needed the most – whether that’s delivering medical supplies or deploying a surge in health workers. Health authorities can also use this information to keep you better informed about the risks of diseases in your location and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.

5. Your policymakers can make informed decisions

Health information systems and digital health tools can help your policymakers come up with effective policies, plans and decisions to improve health outcomes and provide you with better health services. For example, your government authorities can look at data – such as birth and death statistics or epidemiological trends like increasing cases of flu-like symptoms or heart conditions among certain populations – and harness this information to support planning for health care services, allocating enough resources, and formulating evidence-based policies.

“In an ideal world, we would already have these systems and digital tools accessible to everyone in the Pacific. But we’re aware that there are gaps and barriers we need to overcome. This means we need to put in extra effort to ensure that health information and digital health solutions are designed with people at the centre and tailored to our health systems in the Pacific,” explains Dr Jacobs.

He adds, “Each of the Pacific countries and areas has its own capacities and resources, so they’ll each have their own distinct path toward enhancing health information and embracing digital transformation. But what is true for all Pacific nations is that they themselves will need to decide what these tools and systems should look like, under the leadership of our health ministers.”