MERL Tech DC 2019

Nepal Health Sector Strategy (NHSS) 2015-2020 aspires to leverage mHealth and eHealth to improve health outcomes for Nepalese citizens. At present, there is a paucity in evidence on the mHealth and eHealth interventions that have been implemented in Nepal and their effectiveness. Our study mapped technology-enabled projects in Nepal using Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping design framework and assessed the projects using WHO Building Blocks of a Health System framework. In total, 20 technology-enabled health solutions implemented between 1993 to 2016 were identified. The momentum for technology-enabled projects in Nepal is sporadic but continuous and largely donor driven. Technology-enabled health solutions in Nepal are limited in scope, focus areas, target audiences, and sustainability potential. Prevalent target audience for identified projects were front-line workers in rural areas, women of reproductive age, and adolescents. Evaluation or sustainability were not within the scope of most projects. Technology-enabled solutions are frayed, issue and organization centric, and primarily driven by donor or non-governmental organizations. Engaging the private sector, especially telecommunications companies, is an underutilized strategy to address barriers related to evaluating, scaling and integrating effective solutions in the health system. Existing pioneers in this space (government, national and international NGOs) must engage in strategic planning on how to increase collaborative partnerships with the private sector or incentivize independent commercial health technology ventures. Our session will shed light on opportunities and challenges for national and international governing bodies and health systems to chart a course for technology-enabled health solutions to move beyond “pilotitis” in low-resource settings.