A Broken Health System - Can Digital Health Fix It? - Brian O'Connor
Health systems worldwide are under enormous strain. The demand for services is increasing, while resources remain limited, leaving millions of citizens underserved. The question is often asked: can digital health provide a solution to this broken system? My answer is simple: it already is.
Take India as an example. Today, more than 810 million people already have their medical record accessible on their phone. This unprecedented leap means that citizens can directly manage their own health information, improving continuity of care and empowering individuals to take charge of their wellbeing.
In Rwanda, Africa, by December of this year the entire population will have the same access, with other African countries moving rapidly toward the same objective. The United States and much of Europe are far behind India and Africa in this regard. The lesson is clear: when citizens are given the tools to manage their own health, they become more engaged, access to services improves, and barriers such as remoteness or lack of infrastructure are more easily overcome.
A live, connected health network is already transforming both healthcare delivery and disease prevention. Is it perfect yet? No. But is it a huge improvement compared to even a year ago? Absolutely. This digital foundation also encourages the private sector to innovate and offer services directly to individuals, creating both better care and new economic opportunities.
We are already witnessing the impact:
- Remote monitoring is enabling people to manage chronic conditions more effectively.
- Teleconsultations allow patients to chat with doctors regardless of where they live.
- Start-ups across Africa are building sustainable businesses by offering digital health services to citizens previously excluded from healthcare.
All of this is not theory; it is happening today. Digital health is filling the gaps left by broken health systems and doing so in a way that will only get stronger with time.
For too long, conversations have focused on what is wrong with healthcare. My message is simple: stop talking and start doing. Digital health is not just a promise, it is already delivering better care, empowering citizens, and driving economic growth. The challenge now is for leaders, policymakers, and practitioners to embrace this momentum and scale it further.
The health system may be broken, but digital health is proving every day that it can fix it.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author and not of Medical Dialogues. The Editorial/Content team of Medical Dialogues has not contributed to the writing/editing/packaging of this article.
