Significance of Digital Health Technologies (DHTs) to manage communicable and non-communicable diseases in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)

Purpose The emerging infectious diseases and the escalating trend of outbreaks have influenced the socioeconomic situations in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Digital health technologies (DHTs) have shown promising outcomes in limiting the spread of infectious diseases and have proven beneficial in the surveil- lance and diagnosis of these diseases. However, LMICs are usually deprived of emerging technologies and pay an unjust price during major epidemics. This mini review summarizes the different domains of DHTs that can be used in epidemics and pandemics. Method The study followed review approach to conduct the research and synthesize its findings. A final sample of 42 articles is selected for in-depth review of Digital health technologies (DHTs). Result The study successfully synthesizes the latest research in the subject area and reveals that, Since the LMICs are adversely affected financially by the undesired addition of health burdens brought on by the expansion of infectious diseases and other NCDs. It is very challenging to contain an infectious illness pandemic in such resource-poor countries. The use of DHTs amidst the recent COVID-19 pandemic in LMICs has proven the inevitable advantages in terms of cost effectiveness and ease of access to medical assistance. Conclusion This study provides the knowledge about successful implementation of DHTs in LMICs to control and manage both communicable and non-communicable diseases effectively.