Apart from the mundane PC that sits on top of the office table, the computer and the rapidly developing field of information and communication technology (ICT) continues to have  tremendous impacts on  many aspects of our daily lives, including health and the delivery of healthcare.

Advances in ICT are leading to a reduction in both the cost and size of sensors, monitors and other equipment, thereby allowing the emergence of both novel uses for existing technologies and a myriad of applications of completely new technologies. Significant developments  in ICT include increasingly pervasive sensing networks, higher processing power and the ability to transfer larger amounts of information more quickly through both wired and wireless systems.

The phenomenon of technology “convergence”  has made it possible  for ubiquitous reach any time , anywhere,  and where  once separate devices function for specific purpose, convergent technologies  such as  the  ordinary cellular phone, now functions in  innumerable  ways such as  a PDA, camera, diary, audio and video player, a global positioning system (GPS), etc.

Improving the health of individuals and communities, and strengthening health systems, disease detection and prevention are crucial to development and poverty reduction. ICT has the potential to impact almost every aspect of the health sector. In public health, information management and communication processes are pivotal, and are facilitated or limited by available ICT.  This is what the CISCAI  intends to achieve, that of “stretching the reach” or “bridging-the-gap”   for crucial AI (and health) information to  be conveyed to the  most important stakeholders.

The CISCAI project as it seems,  is a convergence of information and communications technologies….but above  it all, the CISCAI  is more than that.  The CISCAI is a convergence of   ideas, of people, of races,  and of culture…all   working for a common goal and the wellness of all.

Dr. Jose Edgardo Aban
Project Coordinator Unit