The ICT Office was established in 2004 by the Ministry of Health in order to keep up with global trends of integrating the power of information technology to better deliver health services. This office falls under the Funding and Planning directorate and like other departments within this directorate serves as a support mechanism to the other core functioning directorates of the Ministry.

MISSION

The mission of the ICT Office is to support the successful achievement of the Cook Islands Ministry of Health vision and mission statement through the effective use of ICT resources.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives set to achieve this mission are:

1. Providing leadership in the execution of ICT services, documentation management, development and implementation of ICT management systems and strategies and technology infrastructure.
2. To provide excellent customer centred services, that are responsive to the changing needs of the user.
3. To maintain an effective staff development programme to ensure that ICT staff continue to develop the necessary skills to provide high-quality services and support

FUNCTIONS

The core functions of the ICT Office are:

1. ICT Policy & Strategy development and implementation
2. Provision of hardware & software
3. Maintain server functions for email, internet, databases, file storage and administration
4. End user ICT training
5. Data management services
6. Technical Support Services
7. Website design and development

STAFF

The ICT Office has a staff compliment of two:

1. Tofinga Aisake, ICT Manager
2. Maru Willie, Systems Analyst

PROJECTS

Listed below are some of the project highlights of the ICT Office:

1. Computerizing health records through the introduction of MedTech32 at the Rarotonga Hospital.
2. Deploying MedTech32 to the outer islands commencing with the Southern Group in 2006. To date, 10/12 hospitals have access to MedTech32 allowing centralising of health records.
3. Roll out of MedTech32 to Maternal Child Health and Dental Clinics on Rarotonga. Nine Clinics in total have access MedTech32
4. Centralising telephone network for all Ministry of Health, Rarotonga based facilities which include the Rarotonga Hospital, Tupapa Admin Block with Public Health and the Tupapa Dental and Outpatients Clinic
5. Launch of videoconferencing services with Counties Manukau District Health Board (CMDHB) in 2012 with future plans to link up with other DHBs in New Zealand. Expand videoconferencing services to outer islands will commence in 2013.