Digital technology and innovation has the potential to revolutionise the delivery of healthcare in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). However, many tools and solutions are designed with high-resource settings in mind, and fail to consider the unique challenges faced by LMICs.
Key differences include: [1]
- Technological competence: High-resource settings possess advanced infrastructure and increased digital literacy, enabling the deployment of more complex and sophisticated digital health solutions.
- Availability of resources: Increased financial resources, skilled personnel, and advanced medical equipment enable the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies that may not be feasible in LMICs due to cost constraints.
- Healthcare infrastructure: Reliable internet connectivity and robust facilities support the seamless integration of digital health tools into existing systems.
- Policy environment: Supportive policies and regulations for digital health initiatives.
- Research and development: Increased investment leads to innovations tailored to the needs and capabilities of these environments.
To be effective and sustainable in resource-limited contexts, digital health initiatives need to focus on simplicity, interoperability, and adaptability to local contexts. Engaging stakeholders, ensuring sustainable funding, and aligning with broader healthcare policies are also critical for success.
The City Cancer Challenge Foundation (C/Can) works with healthcare providers and decision-makers to implement digital health solutions that enhance city health systems for better cancer care. Across its network of cities and together with local stakeholders, C/Can has implemented a range of digital solutions and, in doing so, working with technology providers to design contextualised digital systems for healthcare settings that, amongst other functionalities, facilitate cohesive Multidisciplinary Team approaches, streamline referral systems and enhance data collection. For example, in 2023, Kumasi experienced a significant increase in referrals of pediatric cancer cases to the main treatment centre, Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), with 28 cases received over the period compared to previously referred cases of 8 in 2022. This rise can be attributed to the Oncokids app, a locally developed software created as part of a project with C/Can.
Recognising the need for accessible solutions that are appropriate for low-resource settings, C/Can has developed a public library of digital tools that are designed specifically with LMICs in mind, and that support healthcare professionals to deliver patient-centred care.
The Digital Health Library for Cancer Patient Navigation
The library aims to curate resources that give healthcare stakeholders within our cities a variety of options that may help them address the complexities of fragmented healthcare systems, improve workflows and strengthen existing health infrastructure.
Following a thorough application process, each solution has been reviewed by a specialised taskforce of digital health experts from academia, digital health systems, information technology, and patient navigation. Almost half of the solutions displayed were designed in LMICs, ensuring local expertise.
Transforming patient navigation with digital solutions
The first round of applications for the digital health library was centered on tools to improve patient navigation. Cancer care often requires patients to navigate multiple departments and facilities, creating barriers to timely treatment and services. In LMICs, these challenges are amplified by healthcare workforce shortages and system fragmentation, which can be eased with digital interventions.
The solutions:
- NURSY
- Clever Simulations
- Pegasi
- Zency
- AskEllyn
- Navigacare
- Noona
- Prose Care
- Careful
- GOLDCITII
- Preventus
The Digital Health Library reaffirms C/Can’s commitment to advancing sustainable health systems in LMICs for improved cancer care.
C/Can would like to thank its digital health taskforce of experts that supported the collation of solutions and made this project a reality.
References
[1] Mascarenhas, E., Abboute, A., Wayne, R., & Kozlakidis, Z. (2024). Digital healthcare: technologies, technical and design challenges. In Sustainable development goals series (pp. 207–217). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-62332-5_20
