RHC is collaborating with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Telecommunications of the Gambia, World Health Organization and the United Nations Interagency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) to develop a digital health investment case for The Gambia, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular diseases are leading NCDs affecting public health in The Gambia. These conditions contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality, placing immense pressure on healthcare systems and economic stability.
The impact of these NCDs extends beyond health outcomes, leading to substantial social and economic consequences. Rising healthcare expenditures for disease management, reduced workforce productivity, and financial strain on households are some of the key challenges. NCD-related complications can result in increased hospital admissions, absenteeism, presenteeism, premature exits from the workforce due to disability or severe illness and finally premature deaths.
The digital health investment case employs newly developed methodology for assessing the costs, health impact and monetary outcomes of introducing widely available digital health interventions for managing main NCDs. The upcoming case aims to assess the financial and economic burden associated with managing diabetes mellitus, COPD, and cardiovascular diseases in The Gambia. It will highlight the potential benefits of leveraging digital health solutions, such as telemedicine, chat-bots’ solutions and mobile messaging. The analysis will include a return on investment (ROI) assessment comparing the current costs of managing these NCDs with the expected health and economic benefits of implementing digital health interventions.
Additionally, the investment case will evaluate The Gambia’s existing digital health infrastructure and identify practical, scalable strategies to enhance NCD prevention, diagnosis, and management. The initiative underscores the critical role of digital technology in strengthening healthcare delivery and expanding access to essential services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
This initiative is expected to serve as a powerful advocacy tool, providing evidence of the long-term health, social, and economic gains of investing in digital health solutions for NCD management in The Gambia.
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