The need for a security/privacy model for the health sector in Ghana

Many developing countries around the world are faced with the dilemma “brain-drain” as their healthcare professionals seek better economic opportunities in other countries. This problem is compounded by a lack of robust healthcare infrastructure requiring substantive improvements to bring them up to date. This impacts a countries ability to understand morbidity and mortality patterns which impact health care policy and program planning. The lack of IT infrastructure also negatively affects the safety, quality, and efficiency of health care delivery in these countries. Ghana is faced with this precise set of circumstances as it struggles to adopt policies to overcome these challenges. The Republic of Ghana is implementing strategies to accelerate is development through information and communication technology (ICT), however in implementing this in the health sector it is also important to put into operation a system that is secure and protects the privacy of health consumers. One technique that has proven effective in recent years in facilitating the delivery of quality healthcare services to a wide range of consumers is the use of smart cards. Research into the viability of smart cards is therefore necessary.