- Some innovations such as Artificial Intelligence make it possible to analyze large amounts of data in seconds and are useful for diagnosing diseases such as cancer.
- Online medical consultations are becoming more frequent due to the time savings and other benefits they offer.
- Technology has allowed the development of electronic clinical records, which help to have a better control of the health of patients.
Technology is a tool that is within the reach of millions of people and its impact is increasing in areas such as health. From the development of mobile applications to the possibility of attending patients remotely are some of the possibilities offered. But can it help to end the inequality that currently prevails?
During the Innovation Week of the Mexican Association of Pharmaceutical Research Industries (AMIIF), representatives of civil organizations and international institutions focused on health care revealed the way in which new technologies have decisively contributed to reducing the gap of inequality.
To reach those who need it most
Ana Lía García, General Director of the IMSS Foundation, emphasized the support of technology for disease prevention. “With the IMSS Foundation Program to Support the Prevention of Childhood Cancer, we seek to reach the entire population in general with very simple language in order to detect certain symptoms of childhood cancer.”
In his speech, Alejandro Muguerza, National Director of Fundraising for the Red Cross, announced that in addition to assistance activities and emergency care. This institution is also giving importance to three fundamental axes: health care, prevention and a culture of resilience.
“We have to take advantage of technology to reach remote communities, and telemedicine is giving us the opportunity to create an electronic record with patient data such as blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and glucose.”
To bring the benefits of these new technologies to the states of the Republic, so different from each other, Muguerza pointed out that the Red Cross has a presence in 550 delegations.
“We have volunteers, lifeguards and paramedics who live in all the communities of the country’s entities, and have a Tesla antenna that provides internet service throughout the national territory.”
The electronic medical record is given to the patient through a bracelet. With the result, the paramedic or nurse who did the studies can refer you to a specialist.
For his part, Thomas Tighe, President and Executive Director of Direct Relief, emphasized the usefulness of technology to identify the needs of the population, in real time, and the specific place where aid should be directed.
“Emergencies expose weaknesses that already exist. Coming out of the pandemic, we must see how we can improve prevention and have a better diagnosis, so that resources reach those who need them most. This is the promise of technology.”
More equitable access to health
In this regard, Catalina Thompson, Administrative Linkage Coordinator of the Health Equity Laboratory, explained that in this Laboratory they seek to diagnose health inequities within the Mexican population, understanding health based on its social determinants.
Social determinants are the conditions in which people are born, grow up and live, including the health system. “What we are looking for is to understand how these conditions are within the municipalities in Mexico; see how money and resources are distributed, and what conditions can be really unfair and that are avoidable”, explained Catalina Thompson.
Finally, Verónica Mendoza, Director of Social Responsibility of the AMIIF, stressed that technological tools make it possible to close the gaps of inequity in access to health, based on a good diagnosis and quality of information, which will allow aid to be directed to those who most you need it, in real time.
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