A window of opportunity for Africa's health information

The second editorial comments on the limited access to health information for health workers in resource-poor settings highlighted by Fiona Godlee's public-health article (see p 295 and press release issued on 9 July).

The widening of internet access beyond the capital cities of sub-Saharan African countries is crucial to increasing access to information for health workers.

The editorial concludes: 'We call upon the governments of the sub-Saharan African countries to ensure that their telecom networks are sold to the private sector if--and only if--the commercial companies make a binding commitment to improve services beyond the capital cities. Regional urban hubs could then be points of dissemination of health information to the district level.'

---

---