Countries urged to use digital technology for better health
20 Sep 2011
Al-Nasser said he believed that digital health for development represented a "fresh and invigorating approach" to global health and could facilitate the achievement of the health targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) that aim to reduce hunger and poverty, maternal and infant mortality, diseases and lack of access to education and health, all by 2015.
"Indeed, there is growing evidence that the use of these technologies can be a critical component of some aspects of health. I fully believe that information and communications technologies can enable countries to meet the 2015 deadline," he added.
Speaking to Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at a separate function, Al-Nasser paid tribute to the region for its role in ensuring that response to NCDs was placed on the forefront of global efforts to eradicate poverty and improve global health.
"Your agenda has been ambitious and courageous.
"You were aiming to raise the NCDs within the United Nations to support countries as they tackle some extremely complex challenges - the globalization of unhealthy lifestyles spreads with a stunning sweep and speed, population age, health coast soar, and economic downturn deepens," he said, encouraging them to continue the fight against the spread of NCDs.
