dw.com
Belarus's E-Health System Delayed by Sanctions, New Launch Date Set for 2025
Belarus aims to launch a national e-health system by the end of 2025, but sanctions forced a contractor change and a budget shift from an initial \$57 million contract with Ericsson Nikola Tesla to domestic funding after the World Bank classified its loans to Belarus as non-performing, delaying the 2022 launch.
- What are the primary implications of the delayed launch of Belarus's national e-health system and the switch to domestic funding?
- By the end of 2025, Belarus plans to launch a national e-health system, storing patient health and treatment data in personal accounts. Remote prescription renewals and sick leave extensions will eventually be available. The original contractor, Ericsson Nikola Tesla, withdrew due to sanctions, resulting in a delay and a shift to domestic funding.
- How did international sanctions affect the timeline and budget of the Belarusian e-health project, and what is the role of the new contractor?
- The Belarusian e-health project, initially budgeted at over \$57 million and supported by the World Bank, faced delays due to sanctions imposed on Belarus. The World Bank subsequently classified its loans to Belarus as non-performing, halting further funding and forcing a switch to domestic financing and a new contractor, "Agency for Servitization and Re-engineering.
- What are the potential long-term challenges and risks associated with the implementation of the Belarusian e-health system given the budgetary and logistical shifts caused by sanctions?
- The revised timeline for completion is the end of 2025, highlighting the significant impact of sanctions on the project's timeline and budget. The shift to domestic funding and a new contractor raises questions about potential resource constraints and the project's long-term sustainability.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and introduction frame the story around the delays and cost increase, creating a somewhat negative perspective. The focus on sanctions as the primary cause may overshadow other contributing factors.
Language Bias
The article maintains a relatively neutral tone, although the phrasing "sanctions hampered the project" subtly suggests a negative impact without providing a full picture of the complex issues involved.
Bias by Omission
The article mentions that the project's cost exceeded \$57 million, but it doesn't specify the total cost after the change of contractor and use of budget funds. The article also omits details about the specific challenges faced in finding a new contractor and the timeline for that process. Further, the article lacks information on the security measures implemented to protect patient data within the new system.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a simplified narrative of sanctions impacting the project. While it acknowledges that sanctions didn't directly target medical supplies, it focuses on the indirect impact without exploring the potential for alternative solutions or mitigating strategies.
Sustainable Development Goals
The development and implementation of a national e-health system in Belarus aims to improve the quality of healthcare services and create a unified system for storing patient health data. This will facilitate better access to information for medical professionals, improve efficiency in managing appointments and prescriptions, and support the growth of telemedicine. The project directly contributes to better health outcomes and facilitates more efficient healthcare delivery, aligning with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) targets related to access to quality healthcare services and strengthening health systems.