Application of telemedicine to improve access, and quality of healthcare services in Somalia: a perspective review and policy recommendations.

Abstract

Telemedicine is the use of virtual space to provide much-needed healthcare services to consumers, with the potential to revolutionize the delivery of healthcare. As the number of challenges facing Somalia continues to grow including the prolonged war, natural disasters, and migration of skilled healthcare professionals, the federal government may be overwhelmed and unable to provide sufficient basic healthcare to its citizens. This review was undertaken to highlight the current state of healthcare services delivery, the benefits of telemedicine, its potential to address the currently strained healthcare services, and the challenges that may hamper its adoption in Somalia. The review results show that the introduction of telemedicine into Somalia's healthcare will go a long way in supporting the efforts of the government to significantly improve the quality of healthcare by increasing accessibility and efficiency. The review also identified potential challenges that may hamper the adoption of this technology including policy barriers, hospital facility and information technology infrastructure, lack of trained healthcare workers as well as lack of awareness among the public on the benefits of telemedicine. Hence, given the current humanitarian situation facing the country and the determination to provide quality healthcare services at an affordable rate to its citizens, policymakers should view telemedicine as an attractive alternative to achieve these targets.