In an interview on the sidelines of Gitex, the Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Digital Economy of the Union of the Comoros, Souef Kamalidine, shared his vision on e-health in Africa, highlighting its promising potential as well as the challenges that need to be addressed for its development.
L’Observateur du Maroc et d’Afrique: What is your vision of electronic health in Africa?
Souef Kamalidine: Electronic health in Africa is a critically important field with enormous but still largely untapped potential. We all recognize this potential, but it is essential to emphasize that it cannot be realized without sustained efforts and a strategic approach. The challenges are numerous and complex. International cooperation is crucial in this field, allowing us to share the knowledge, resources, and technologies necessary for transforming the health sector in Africa.
What are the main challenges for the development of e-health in Africa?
There are several challenges to address. Firstly, there is the regulatory challenge, which needs to be harmonized at both national and continental levels. Then, there is the infrastructure challenge. We cannot talk about e-health initiatives without the necessary infrastructures, whether it be internet connections or access to technologies. The connection might exist, but the population needs to be able to access it, both in terms of equipment and cost.
Another major challenge is the safeguarding and securing of information and data. This challenge must be addressed at both national and continental levels. It is essential to establish reference frameworks at the continental level so that different countries, which are not all at the same level of development, can refer to them. For instance, the International Telecommunication Union has placed Morocco at the top of the list, far ahead of many other African countries. Therefore, it is crucial to have reference standards to guide each country.
Access cost is also an issue, both for populations and countries, as the necessary investments are colossal. We also need to think about capacity building: we cannot move forward without the necessary human resources. This includes everyone, as no one should be left behind. It is important to develop a digital culture from a young age, incorporating these skills into school and university curricula, but also for professionals who have not had computer training.
How could these challenges be overcome, in your opinion?
In e-health, there are three main actors to consider: beneficiaries, service providers, and payers. Beneficiaries include all categories of the population, including those who cannot pay, such as children and the elderly. Service providers include hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, laboratories, etc. Finally, payers, whether individuals or companies, must be taken into account.
The Union of the Comoros is greatly indebted to Morocco for the training of its executives.
To overcome these challenges, it is imperative to strengthen collaboration and cooperation at all levels, both within African countries and between nations. By promoting the exchange of best practices and investing in digital infrastructure, we can create an environment conducive to the rise of electronic health in Africa.
Can you give us an overview of the links between Morocco and the Union of the Comoros?
Bilateral relations between Morocco and the Union of the Comoros are particularly strong. We have already benefited from fruitful cooperation, notably through the training of many Comorian executives in Morocco, including myself and high-level officials like the head of state. The Comoros owe a lot to Morocco in this area. Every year, Morocco grants more than 300 scholarships to young Comorians in various fields of study, which is invaluable. We can never thank Morocco enough for its support. For the future, I am convinced that Morocco and the Comoros can further strengthen and diversify their bilateral cooperation in different sectors.
