Developing a Conceptual Framework Suitable for E-Health in War-torn Zones: The Case of Libya Conflict Regions

Abstract

The myriads of healthcare challenges are no doubt more complex among nations under the siege of war and conflicts, such as the case of Libya. The healthcare systems are mostly overburdened due to escalated cases of injury, poor hygiene and limited number of medical expertise. Libya prior to the civil uprising had depended on foreign medical expertise, and as a result of the uprising these experts were forced to relocate. Series of civil conflict and random attacks has further weakened the health care system in Libya, which is basically the traditional or conventional system. This conventional system of health record management, diagnosis and prescription can easily be damaged or loss in the phase of conflict. Application of ICT in the health sector known as e-health has proffered solutions to most of these challenges through electronic health record management, diagnosis, booking appointments and medical prescriptions. Hence health records can be accessed online and easily on request. While developed countries have since adopted and implemented the e-health system, it is still a relatively new phenomenon in most developing countries like Libya. It is pertinent to know that adoption and successful implementation of e-health requires a thorough assessment of readiness level in terms of the different components and factors affecting e-health system. The study aims to apply knowledge from e-health readiness assessment to the design of a suitable e-health framework for implementing e-health services for the case of conflict zones such as Libya.