It also means that the patient can be kept in a favourable environment and that an improvement in the quality of health-care can be envisaged. It is in these terms that the CATEL association, (Club des Acteurs de la Télésanté, or e-health actors’ club, bringing together over 7,000 participants) defines this innovative medical practice. E-health covers activities, services and systems linked with health and practised at a distance (videoconference, micro-computers and Internet) by means of ITCs. This is the new solution for meeting world requirements in terms of care, control and stopping epidemics. It opens the door to providing support for diagnoses and extra training to health practitioners in developing countries, especially those who are in remote areas.

Why is telemedicine a major issue for developing countries and those which are the least advanced? How to benefit from digital innovations in the field of health in these developing countries? What roles are to be played by e-health in achieving the objectives of the millennium? How can the main players in e-health be brought together via digital solidarity?

The “1000 units of telemedicine for Africa” project

To meet very considerable requirements for equipment, for training and for connecting African district hospitals, the project’s ambition is to set up 1000 telemedicine twinning systems between local communities in the north and the south, using a digital tool-box and a fixed or mobile connection system by satellite.

Project support:

• DSF: Global Digital Solidarity Fund
• RAFT: Réseau en Afrique Francophone pour la Télémédecine (“French-speaking Africa telemedicine network”)
• UHG: University Hospitals of Geneva
• AHI: Africa Health Infoway
• WHO: World Health Organisation