E-health and mental health in Togo: ODESS confirms the role of digital technology

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Extract from the article: The annual conference of the Observatory of E-Health in the South (ODESS), themed “Digital health in a crisis context,” was held on October 9, 2025, at the Pierre Fabre Foundation headquarters in Lavaur, France. Broadcast live at the University ....

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The annual conference of the Observatory of E-Health in the South (ODESS), themed “Digital health in a crisis context,” was held on October 9, 2025, at the Pierre Fabre Foundation headquarters in Lavaur, France. Broadcast live at the University of Lomé, marking a convergence of digital health stakeholders, the event was followed by a panel discussion on the theme “Mental health in Togo: what role for digital technology?", ahead of World Mental Health Day. The aim was to reflect on digital solutions to improve access to mental health care in the country.

     Panelists

According to the WHO, e-health or digital health uses Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to improve prevention, diagnosis and monitoring. In Togo, the Pierre Fabre Foundation supports this sector by assisting with the nationwide rollout of a teledermatology project and the implementation of a tele-ultrasound service for maternal and child health. It focuses on three areas: training, treatment, and innovation, with the mission of improving access to care and essential medicines for vulnerable populations in resource-limited settings.

 « Since its creation, the Observatory of e-Health in Southern Countries (ODESS) has identified more than 200 e-health projects in 80 countries. Of these, 48 have received direct support from the Pierre Fabre Foundation, which assists them in the field with financial support of up to €50,000 per project, as well as networking with strategic partners and increased visibility among the general public. For the 2025 edition, four (04) winning e-health projects were selected by a committee of international experts, » said Giscar Koffi Samboe, Country Coordinator of the Pierre Fabre Foundation.

               Assistance

According to Dr. Gnassingbe Aféignindou Aristide, Minister Counselor and National Coordinator of Digital Health in Togo, when we talk about mental health, we immediately think of illness. One cannot exist without the other. But mental health is a state of overall well-being that allows individuals to live up to their potential within their community. « Digital technology will have a significant impact on communication, which is the vehicle for information. Since we use technology to reach the general public and warn them that there is a threat, when you don't feel well, you need to approach healthcare professionals to screen for mental illness. This is difficult. Therefore, efforts must be made at all possible levels. Digital technology will enable us to move very quickly, » he explains.

The integration of mental health into health development goals is essential, despite often low funding for NCDs.

Esther KOLANI