Digital Health in Low Resource Setting: Overview of Telehealth Market in Cameroon

Abstract

The Sub-Saharan region of Africa finds itself in economic and health crisis. Cameroon, being a part of this region, faces challenges in its health sector which include; unequal distribution of facilities and healthcare workers in different geographical localities of the country, poor workforce management system and a weak IT infrastructure. The country is also burdened with huge debts and considerable corruption in its political system. It comes at number 18 out of 54 African countries as per the rankings of Global Health Security index. Lack of laboratories and diagnostic facilities are the primary causes contributing to the lowering of its position in the GHS index. In addition to these, there is also unequal distribution of facilities in different geographical locations of the country. On the positive side, the country has shown a great compliance with international commitment over the past few years. It has been pretty active in cooperating with international organizations in sharing research and biological specimens. Cameroon sees a great potential in the digital healthcare system to fight its health crisis. Telemedicine services can be a great initiative to innovate the healthcare system in the country. The market is pretty unsaturated at the moment as there are very few players in it. It will not only help Cameroon establish a functional healthcare system but, it will also bridge the gap of the in-availability of facilities in rural and urban areas. PEST analysis of the country shows that there are economic and technological hurdles that can impede the growth of telemedicine services. In the course of resolving these challenges, telemedicine companies might end up bearing high cost. In order to make the digital healthcare system a success, the government needs to play a constructive role. The IT infrastructure of the country and overall computer literacy of the population needs to be improved. This article provides an insight on the telehealth market and the potential role of digitalization in strengthening the health system in Cameroon.