Chapter 2.7: Electronic Health Records and Health Efficiency Post Pandemic

Catering to the healthcare needs of seven billion people poses unique challenges and opportunities globally. The provision of the basic right to healthcare is the moral responsibility of the government toward its citizens. Although access to health information is crucial, the emphasis must be on the quality of the data being collected that will guide the decisions of our policymakers. We must and should adopt the best technology frameworks that are relevant to our geography without compromising the volume of care that is currently being delivered. With the changing landscape of both lifestyle and the trend of diseases over the years, it is imperative that we need to have the right information at the right time to make the right decision for the right individual. The implementation of digital health is a key step in the direction that ensures the availability, accessibility, affordability, and acceptability of healthcare for the masses. There has never been a more opportune time such as this to lay down a strong foundation to enable the collection of “good quality” digital health data points to guide us in the future to prepare for any challenge, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.