The application of information and communications technology in hospitals and clinics in the Accra Metropolis

Abstract

Ghana has witnessed a proliferation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) since 1990. There is now mounting evidence that ICT can be used to facilitate various aspects of socio-economic development process in the world. Ghana adopted an ICT policy in 2003 that acknowledges the social and economic issues affecting the various sectors of the country. / The study covered both public and quasigovernment facilities in the 13 submetropolitan areas of the Accra Metropolitan area in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data was collected mainly through the use of questionnaires (Questionnaire of Dakubu, and Adomako-Owusu (2002) were modified) which elicited from the Hospital Managers, Administrators and Medical Officers-in-Charge of the selected hospitals and clinics the state, use and application of ICT in their various facilities. The questionnaires were pre-tested before administration. The data was analyzed using SPSS Ver. 11. The study revealed that the Health facilities are not yet completely committed to the deployment of ICT. There are no strategic plans in place in most of the facilities for the deployment of ICT; even those facilities that have deployed ICT have not aligned it with theirbusiness strategies. The study also revealed that budgetary allocation for ICT in most facilities is below 10% of their total expenditure. ICT has made some impact in the facilities in which it has been deployed. Some recommendations were given.