IMF Notes

Digital Interventions in the Health Sector: Country Cases and Policy Discussions

Author/Editor:

Carolina Bloch ; Lucy Xiaolu Wang

Publication Date:

October 30, 2023

Electronic Access:

Free Download. Use the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this PDF file

Summary:

This note discusses, through selected country case studies, how digital health records and telemedicine can improve delivery quality, access to underserved populations, and resource utilization in healthcare. In addition, it shows how digital disease surveillance tools can identify outbreaks and track the spread of diseases, while novel digital platforms can facilitate patent licensing and international pooled procurements for better drug access in developing countries. Ensuring safe and well-regulated collection and use of healthcare data, as well as facilitating standardization and interoperability of digital infrastructure in different sectors is critical for the success of these interventions.

Series:

IMF Notes No 2023/004

Subject:

Economic sectors Financial crises

Frequency:

occasional