The role of cloud-based mhealth disease surveillance system in regional integration: a case of the ebola crisis in ECOWAS

To deliver safe, effective, high quality and affordable care in the twenty-first century, strategic adoption of an interoperable health information system infrastructure is needed to transform healthcare from paper-based system to an electronic, interconnected regional healthcare system. Many studies have shown the importance or benefits of a disease surveillance health information system. Access to up-to date disease surveillance information can minimize deaths as a result of any disease outbreak. Timely access to diagnostic information can bring about several benefits regarding workflow, patient care, and disease management. These benefits can also result in theoretical net cost savings, (Maass et al. 2008). A host of academic articles and agency reports have argued that ICTs can make a substantial contribution to improving health and healthcare in developing countries (see Chetley and Trude 2006). This chapter looks into the role of mHealth in Disease surveillance and how it could be implemented at a regional level for strengthening regional health system in any region around the world and Africa in particular.