ICT Influence on the healthcare sector in the Niger Delta region: ICT policy at an organizational level

Abstract

Organizational inefficiency, infrastructural decay and the challenge of untrained ICT personnel in the health sector have all contributed to the erratic development in healthcare delivery in the Niger Delta region. The region generates the nation's crude-oil, yet is marginalized, resulting in the neglect of infrastructural development and the collapse of functional health systems. Humans now suffer from various kinds of diseases resulting from the effects of oil exploitation and exploration, and gas flaring. This study is focused on growth within the health sector, identifying the extent of ICT application, the application of appropriate ICT policy in the sector, and the influence of related policy. Critical data were obtained from key-players by way of interviews and questionnaires. A quantitative analysis was carried out on the data obtained at an organizational level. Several tests were performed on the parameters; descriptive statistics, and where necessary, the Pearson correlation coefficient were introduced to check relationships between variables. Results obtained indicated low-level adoption rates of ICT application in healthcare delivery and a need for an enabling policy. This study confirmed the low levels of healthcare delivery in the region and the importance of an ICT policy in the healthcare sector to improve efficiency.