Middle East and North African Health Informatics Association (Menahia) Publisher



Ghazal H^{1, 2, 3} ; Alshammari A^{4, 5} ; Taweel A⁶ ; Elbokl A⁷ ; Nejjari C^{1, 8} ; Alhuwail D^{9, 10, 11} ; Althani D¹² ; Aljafar E¹³ ; Wahba H⁷ ; Alrishidi M¹³ ; Hamdi M¹² ; Househ M¹² ; Elhassan O¹⁴ ; Alnafrani S^{4, 5} Show All Authors
Source: Yearbook of Medical Informatics Published:2022

Abstract

The region of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is diverse and retains a superior growth potential. It benefits from a privileged geographical location with big markets, a young and growing educated population, and competitive advantages in several industries. Regardless of their differences, countries face shared concerns, most notably in health. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, MENA countries enact reforms to create a more robust and inclusive digital health systems to increase growth, development, and integrity. Throughout the coordinated containment and mitigation efforts, most of the countries have integrated digital technologies into the health systems. These procedures include digital government initiatives, the introduction of digital health training courses, live video surgeries and virtual patient monitoring, rural and remote telemedicine programs, and the development of a national electronic health records (EHR) system. Each country took necessary actions to address equity, literacy, and development of resilient health systems. The nine featured countries in this report illustrate the diversity among the MENA region and account for major opportunities and achievements as well as promises and challenges that digital health presents for its populations. © 2022 IMIA and Georg Thieme Verlag KG.