ArticleOxford open digital health2025
Strengthening digital health local capacity: driving forces and milestones in Ethiopia.
Article in Oxford open digital health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Policy, Financing, and Regulatory Barriers to Adopting AI-Powered Electrocardiography Interpretation Clinical Decision Support System in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Study.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2026Article
- Telemedicine readiness and its associated factors among healthcare professionals in primary hospitals of Southern Ethiopia.Scientific reports · 2026Article
- Review
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
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Abstract
Background: Strengthening local capacity is central to building sustainable digital health systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Ethiopia's experience illustrates how nationally led strategies can drive digital transformation. Methods: This study uses a qualitative descriptive case study approach, drawing on government policies, program reports, peer-reviewed literature and the authors' direct implementation experience. Data were reviewed and analyzed thematically to trace the driving forces, milestones, achievements and challenges of Ethiopia's digital health journey between 2016 and 2025. Findings: Ethiopia's transformation was enabled by strong national governance and institutional leadership, the adoption of interoperable standards and a unified health data platform, investments in workforce capacity through mentorship and university partnerships, and the introduction of innovative digital services such as electronic community health information system and electronic logistics systems. These initiatives improved data quality, expanded digital service delivery and supported evidence-based decision-making. However, persistent challenges include resource constraints, limited digital literacy among frontline workers, and heavy reliance on donor financing. Conclusions & Significance: Ethiopia's nationally led and capacity-focused approach demonstrates that sustainable digital health transformation in LMICs requires more than technology; it demands governance reform, local ownership and long-term financing strategies. The lessons from Ethiopia provide transferable insights for other countries seeking to build resilient, self-reliant digital health ecosystems.
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Registered trials
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