ICT Applications to Gain Wider Adoption in Russian E-health Sector, Says Frost & Sullivan

ICT Applications to Gain Wider Adoption in Russian E-health Sector, Says Frost & Sullivan PR Newswire LONDON, Sept. 20, 2012 - Policy developments and ongoing projects show greater involvement of ICT solutions in healthcare, with telemedicine already gaining momentum LONDON, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In Russia, information and communication technology (ICT) is seen as an important component in the development of the healthcare sector and is given high priority in terms of investment. The Russian government has launched the comprehensive Healthcare Development Concept 2020 to deliver multiple benefits for patients and healthcare personnel. The level of IT deployment in the Russian healthcare sector is currently relatively low. The Russian Ministry of Health notes, that in 2009 only 20.0 per cent of Russian hospitals possessed modern IT systems aimed at increasing operational efficiency. In the same year, each hospital was equipped with 37 computers on average, approximately one device for every five staff members. "In the last few years, however, IT spending has recovered quickly and is likely to remain positive for the future," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Malgorzata Filar. According to a Frost & Sullivan analysis, expenditure related to information technology (IT) in healthcare totalled $310.0 million in 2010, and this is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.1 per cent to reach $882.0 million in 2017.