Academic Libraries actor-network theory Adaptation models Artificial intelligence Big Data for Development Civic engagement Collaboration Collaboration Communication Technology for Development Communications technology Community Telecenters COVID-19 customer relationship management Datafied pandemic Development as freedom Digital divide Digital immigrants Digital literacy Digital natives Disruptive Innovation e-business E-Commerce e-governance initiative e-governance policy e-government e-government initiatives Economic growth Economic Prosperity EHR Adaption electronic government services Electronic Health Records Electronic Medical Records Electronic telecommunications Emerging-market consumers Encoding Enterprise resource planning Equitable healthcare freedom Gender Development Index Global economy Global market Globalization Gross Domestic Product Health inequity Health equity Healthcare Hospitals Hospitals Human Capabilities Human capital Human development Human development endowment Human Development Index Human Resource Development ICT-enabled service ICT Development Index ICT Maturity ICT programs information-processing devices Information and Communication Technologies information services Information technology Inter-organizational systems International Telecommunications Union Internet chat rooms IT infrastructure IThealth m-development Medical diagnostic imaging mHealth micro-business models Micro-businesses Micro-Entrepreneurs Microcredit banking Microfinance Sector Mobile app mobile application Mobile banking Mobile cellphones Mobile communication mobile e-learning environment mobile libraries Mobile money Mobile payments Mobile phones Mobile signals National Telecommunications and Information Administration operational and financial sustainability Outrage Outrage patient data access patient data recording payment systems Physician Adaptation Qualitative data analysis Qualitative EHR Use Quarantine small business social capital Social determinants of health Social development social environments social media socio-economic development socio-economic inequities socio-economic status socio-technical socioeconomic determinants of health socioeconomic limiters strategic developmental focus Sustainable development Systems engineering technological revolution Telecenter facilities Telecenters wellbeing World Economic Forum

Outrage and anger in a global pandemic: flipping the script on healthcare

ABSTRACT: Amidst a global pandemic, outrage and anger over the death of a Black man at the hands of a White police officer spread globally. The protests exposed generations of institutional racism and socio-economic inequities in many countries. This editorial explores the socio-economic inequities that have left those in racially segregated marginalized communities most at risk from COVID 19. It offers a cyclical view of the relationship between socio-economic inequities and health outcomes, suggesting that once these inequities are addressed, then health outcomes can improve. There is an important role to be played by ICTs in enabling a positive cycle to take place. The papers in this issue reflect the ways in which the socio-economic indicators can be increased to support better health outcomes for people in low SES communities. They uncover the key issues facing communities offering healthcare service to their constituents and move the field forward by showing the ways in which ICTs may support a positive cycle of development and health outcomes.

Keywords: COVID-19, socio-economic inequities, Healthcare, World Economic Forum, Outrage

Pandemics within the pandemic: confronting socio-economic inequities in a datafied world

ABSTRACT: The pandemic has brought to light and exacerbated inequities that have plagued the world even before COVID-19 spread. Despite its medical and technological advances, much of the western world was unprepared for what its people faced. With a death toll and mortality rates unseen in modern times, the datafied world amidst some populist regimes witnessed additional pandemics within the pandemic of raging infections. In the changing world broadband internet access is becoming more essential to enabling people to lead their lives while locked-down and/or in quarantine. People become accustomed to accessing healthcare information, resources and providers through mobile and or other devices for their COVID 19 information, while tracking and tracing is being carried out using mobile applications. Those at the margins become vulnerable to digital biopolitics or efforts by governments and corporations to maximize knowledge and control of populations using digital means for political and economic power. In this the datafied society, increased data surveillance offered cause for activism and fight for human rights and freedoms. This also referred to as the datafied pandemic in which life revolves on the internet more than ever through access to tools, basic services, and social environments. Within these digital divides, the forces of globalization forge ahead with perils and promises. These issues are explored in this editorial and ways of tackling the pandemics offered in the light of papers in this issue. ICT4D research offers ways in which we may together create a better world for all.

Keywords: COVID-19, Quarantine, mobile application, Datafied pandemic, social environments