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Steve VanRoekel: Technology Investments Key to Fight Against Ebola

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Steven VanRoekel
Steven VanRoekel

USAID Chief Innovation Officer Steve VanRoekel said that government investments technology such as mobile communications and medical diagnostics could help bolster efforts to combat the spread of Ebola, FCW reported Wednesday.

Adam Mazmanian reports that VanRoekel, who has been coordinating U.S. programs to help affected areas in West Africa, believes that technology tools can be utilized to manage the response to Ebola and other global health crises.

VanRoekel also said that efforts face challenges not only in technology infrastructure but also in technical and regulatory issues, data harmonization as well as in building trust and longer-term healthcare capacities.

“We have to think about how tech and innovation plays a complement to these things,” he told reporters at an event.

“I do believe that technology plays a foundational and fundamental role, but it has to be delivered in the context of these challenges.”

The government has also sought public input through the Fighting Ebola challenge, which has received suggestions on personal protective equipment and diagnostic technology, among others areas, the report said.

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