PAHO supports Nicaragua in digital transformation of the health sector

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) supports the efforts of the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health (MINSA) in digital transformation, PAHO states (link in Spanish). The authorities of the Nicaraguan health sector have prioritized development and implementation of computer tools as an axis that allows increasing coverage and access to health with equity, quality, efficiency and effectiveness.

The amount of 1 million 450 thousand dollars, donated by the Governments of the United States and Canada, contributed to the implementation of the Family and Community Health Model Information System (SIMOFAC), development of the Immunization Registry (SIPAI), as well as programmes that focused on entry of patient data to hospital emergencies for follow-ups. This will facilitate the exchange of information on the patient’s condition and teleconsultations in real time.

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Biomedical Innovations Awarded in Brazil

“Those who innovate to transform lives deserve an award” is the motto of the SBEB-Boston Scientific Award for Innovation in Biomedical Engineering, which encourages the development of works that collaborate with the Brazilian public health system. Brazil is the host of the IX Latin American Congress of Biomedical Engineering 2022, that is why the Brazilian Society of Biomedical Engineering (SBEB) and Boston Scientific created a new modality for this year’s award, to include relevant initiatives from other countries in the region, and projects with potential impact for Latin American health systems. Hence, the Latin American category was launched. A total of 192 projects were submitted for the award, and six of them were selected as winners by the Independent Evaluation Committee: three for Brazil and three for Latin America. The Award for Innovation in Biomedical Engineering is promoted annually, with SBEB and Boston Scientific as organizers, and an independent evaluation committee made of experts in public health, health innovations, medical Devices, who represent the main management bodies of SUS.

El Salvador advances in digitization of its public health system

The public health system of El Salvador advances in modernization and digitization of health services, DPL News reports (link in Spanish). Most medical notes are now made on mobile devices. The country’s Ministry of Health has provided tablets to health promoters, who facilitate timely decision making and and maintain epidemiological surveillance of most vulnerable or high risk population groups. – We deliver tablets to our health promoters in the western area (of the country), with intention to train employees through digitization of processes in registrations, consolidation and data analysis, indicates a report by the Ministry of Health. With the digitization of 90% of hospitals and 70% of health units, doctors can keep better control of patients, by quickly accessing clinical history. Also, the Government of El Salvador focuses on upgrades to public hospitals, replacing the old infrastructure.

PAHO: Ideological Differences Threaten Human Health

Dr Carissa Etienne, Director of the Pan American Health Organization, affirmed today that political and ideological differences threaten human health by preventing a beneficial connection between health systems at the international level. “We cannot be separated by politics, ideologies, it is something unthinkable, because the region cannot progress without solidarity,” said Dr Carissa Etienne when speaking at a high-level panel held in the context of the second day of the IV International Health Convention “Cuba Health 2022”. Joint work and help are essential to allow us to advance in improving the quality of life in the Americas region, Carissa Etienne pointed out. She concluded that it is vital to improve health schemes in pursuit of the quality of life of the people. Equity must be seen as a true value, she stressed. Equity must be at the center of the governments’ agenda, because no one can be left behind when it comes to receiving care or treatment, Carissa Etienne insisted. Many countries, she said, are at risk because they do not have a solid health system, and the Covid-19 pandemic has shown the true face of some health schemes.

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Willum Þór: The question remains if our healthcare system is sustainable

On January 1st, Iceland took over the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers. This intergovernmental organisation plays an important role in promoting innovations, health data integration, and cooperation between all major stakeholders in the Nordic healthcare. The Icelandic Health Minister elaborates on his vision to future health in the Nordic region, the Nordic strengths, Iceland’s plans for the Presidency with regards to health innovations, and the coming collaboration with Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies

CIFS ran an all-day session at the Week of Health and Innovation (WHINN) in Odense

Copenhagen Institute for Futures Studies ran an all-day session at the annual Week of Health and Innovation (WHINN) in Odense, Denmark. CIFS’ program attracted over 40 experts from health and data organisations. We presented strategic foresight and futures studies in the health sector, concepts that are used to reimagine the future of the health sector, such as the Humanome and decentralised clinical trials. Also, we had a panel discussion on the newly started Phase V project on decentralised clinical trials, where CIFS is a contributing partner

New HIMSS book out on blockchain in healthcare

The HIMSS Series has a new book on blockchain in healthcare. “Blockchain in Healthcare: Innovations that Empower Patients, Connect Professionals, and Improve Care” is the title of the book. According to the book’s authors, Vikram Dhillon, John Bass, Max Hooper, David Metcalf, and Alex Cahana, blockchain technology may hold the greatest potential in healthcare. Some of the first use cases in medical payments, electronic health records, HIPAA/data privacy, and drug counterfeiting have been explored by early pioneers. There is still much work to be done in order to automate the complexities of today’s healthcare systems and design new systems that are focused on trust, transparency, and aligning incentives. In this book, Metcalf, Bass, Hooper, Cahana, and Dhillon have assembled over 50 contributors, including early adopters, thought leaders, and health innovators. They tell their stories and share their knowledge. The videos and transcripts provided by many authors and contributors humanize the technical details and abstract aspects of blockchain. Using the fundamentals of blockchain, the authors curated a collection of future-oriented examples that build on early successes. After a brief introduction to the fundamentals and the protocols available, as well as early blockchain efforts specific to health and healthcare, the authors discuss the promise of smart contracts and protocols to automate complex, distributed processes and some of the early consortiums that are exploring the possibilities. Throughout the book are examples and use cases, with special attention given to the more advanced and far-reaching examples that can be scaled at an industry-level. In addition, a discussion of integrating blockchain technology into other advanced healthcare trends and IT systems – such as telemedicine, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, value-based payments, patient engagement solutions, big data solutions, medical tourism, and clinical trials among many others – is presented. The final section provides a glimpse into the future using blockchain technology and examples of research projects that are still in labs across the globe.