Promoting appropriate eHealth technologies in the developing world: The Sharing eHealth Intellectual Property for Development (SHIPD) initiative of the World Health Organization

Developments in information and communication technology (ICT) have ushered in an era of profound opportunity and potential for world-wide advancement in public health and clinical care. However, some countries are unable to take advantage of these eHealth developments because they do not have access to proprietary products and services which are protected by intellectual property rights. Fortunately, a number of organizations are willing to provide free access to selected eHealth products and services to developing countries through a partnership with the World Health Organization. The Sharing eHealth Intellectual Property for Development (SHIPD) initiative aims to strengthen health systems and improve health in countries through the adaptation and deployment of shared intellectual property for eHealth products and services.