New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Telemedicine Markets in Sub-Saharan Africa, covering South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Mali and Cameroon, finds that the greatest challenge in implementing telemedicine solutions is inadequate connectivity in rural areas.
The project has had a troubled path since inception. In 2001, Cabinet approved a programme to launch identity cards. The project has been in the Department of Home Affairs' budget since, but languished for years until 2008, when the “Who Am I Online” initiative, intended to upgrade the DHA's IT infrastructure and pave the way for a centralised identity programme, was brought short and eventually cancelled, after irregularities in the tender process were brought to light. A bitter spat between the department and Gijima, over spiralling costs, went to the courts, before Gijima settled, and was reinstated as the supplier.
Speaking at the Gauteng ICT summit today, finance MEC Mandla Nkomfe said broadband is the superhighway that could actualise this aspiration.
"That is why we have embarked upon an ambitious project to implement this solution, which will be underpinned by the utilisation of a variety of networks and devices."
Speaking about the role of ICT in the Gauteng Provincial Government's (GPG's) growth path, at the Gauteng ICT summit yesterday, Gauteng CIO Lemmy Chappie said the country must ensure the set-top boxes required for digital TV are manufactured locally.
“It's about time we became the China of Africa. Also, as a country we need to be able to build our own Microsoft-type of applications and this is possible through open source.”
Speaking at the budget vote for the GDF today, MEC Mandla Nkomfe said the programme is critical to delivering e-services in the province.
The current core functions of the GDF are ICT, internal audit, forensic services, procurement and transversal human resources management. This is because the department has been reconfigured into a strategic and highly-focused one.