Medical devices and interventions, have been developed specifically for low-resource settings, and aim to be of low cost, easy to use, and culturally appropriate. But these devices commonly fail to reach scale of production and implementation in their intended markets. Some international organisations have emphasised the ability of global health technologies to support universal health coverage.The difficult last mile translation (eg, the final phase when the product is finally delivered to patients and providers) for existing, highly effective medical devices has to first be addressed to improve health-care in low-resource settings.
Can it be possible? I'd either say yes or no to that, but from what I have heard, seen and even had a little experience on, the access to technologies in developing countries such as here in P.N.G is that, even if the technology was made in a way to suit that particular purpose and the needs of it, it would still not be accessible by all due to the facts that:
1. the management of the available technology wouldn't be manage in the way it must be managed cause in developing countries such as P.N.G the issue of management is still a major problem
2. lack of capabilities to use the technology for it's right purpose is an ongoing issue even if expatriates are hired to operate such, because of the connection or the interaction between the expatriates and their counterparts. The kind of understanding between the two can cause undesired working environment which in due time we'll see their own staffs operating medical appliances, technologies etc..
3.lack of capabilities come from lack of education, so what can we say when personal life's of the people have not improve because of the lack of being educated received and trying to bring in something that will be seen as another object without its purpose?
4.even low economical medical devices don't last, so when its time is up, so does the service of health in promoting and saving life's stops too
5. bringing health services is to a developing nation is beneficial but the way in which it is supposed to be carried out would be a different thing altogether
6. addressing health issues and problems are still major disturbances that cause health care issues and factors in developing countries
I believe improvements in access to health technologies can improve coverage in developing countries but this incremental growth in coverage is likely to be skewed in favor of those who can afford to access those technologies and services. Opportunity cost of seeking health services is a critical determinant in healthcare utilization, even when services are available for free. Those who cannot afford the opportunity cost, the poorest, are less likely to benefit from improved physical and/or financial access to health services. Hence innovations that aim to reduce the opportunity costs of utilizing health services are more likely to deliver improvements in effective coverage for health services.
I'm from Brazil and I think it depends on what kind of technology you are talking about. Remember we have already an universal converage system here, but it is far from perfect.
If we're talking about new medical devices (specially in the field of orthopedics, general surgery, etc.) ans high cost medicines (ex: oncology) this things are devastating to our health system: its high cost and our huge taxes that makes this things virtually impossible to cover. Industries pressure for coverave of this items via judiciary system and it is breaking coverage equity (many cities are broken because of health judicial demands).
I'm not talking about the cost of the drug or device itself, but about the very limited benefit associated with them (high cost with low or no benefit for the patient and limited impact on populational health).
But there are some inclusive technologies that helps people, like mobile e-health devices, educational online tools, etc. These technologies are welcome here and they may promote positive impact on health outcoomes.
Please read this publication http://www.globalhealthaction.net/index.php/gha/article/view/15638
Not everyone understand about Technology Readiness Level, Demand Readiness Level or even Technology Transfer Office presence in the Country or University. Many Researchers intended to TRL 1-3 only after published their articles, but not many of them go to the next TRL level... moreover, meeting market.
Respect,
https://www.nikoazharihidayat.com/
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