CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
According to Frienzel (2006), ICT is a term that describes the discipline encompassing computer systems, telecommunication networks and media applications. Information and communication technology is an umbrella term that encompasses all communication devices and applications such as computers, network hardware and software as well as the various services and applications associated with them. Since the 1950s which saw the rise of ICT and related technologies, many innovations and inventions have arisen using ICT as a basis, from mining and exploration to business and commerce, its inventions are endless and have improved performance and productivity in many sectors of the economy. Most countries are at some stage of health sector reform, trying to provide expanded and equitable access to quality services while reducing or at least controlling the rising cost of health care. ICTs have the potential to make a major contribution to improving access and quality of services. The health sector has always relied on technologies. According to World Health Organization (2004), they form the backbone of the services to prevent, diagnose and treat illness and diseases. Advances in information and communication each technology in the last  20th century have led to ability to more accurately profile individual health risk (Walson, 2003), to understand better basic physiological and pathologic process (Lauman, 2002) and to revolutionize diagnosis through new imaging and scanning technologies such technological development, however, demands and increased responsibility of practitioners and policy makers for the appropriateness of new technologies (Hofmanns 2002). The method people use to communicate with each other also changed significantly, mobile telephony, electronic mail and video conferencing offer new options for sharing perspective. Digital technologies are making for visual images and voice of people more accessible through radio, to video, portable disk players and the internet, that change the opportunities for people are share opinions, experience and knowledge.    Reliable information and effective communication are crucial elements in public health practices. Sadly, in most poor and developing nations, epidemics, ill health, diseases and high mortality rates are still raining trends. There is still low access to basic health services and facilities especially in rural areas and sadly many communities have deficiencies in qualitative and quantitative service delivery. The use of appropriate technologies can increase the quality and the reach of both information and communication. On one hand, the knowledge base is about information, which enables people to improve their own health. On the other hand, social organizations help people to achieve health through the health care systems and public health processes. The ability to impoverish the communities to access services and engage with and demand a health sector that respond to their priorities and needs is importantly influenced by wide information and communication processes meditated by ICTs. There has been considerable international discussion about the potential of ICTs to make a major impact in improving health and well being of poor and marginalized populations. Combating poverty and encouraging sustainable development and governance, used effectively, ICTs have the enormous potentials as tools to increase information flows and dissemination of evidence- based knowledge and empower citizens. However, despite all its potentials, a problem (challenge) is that ICTs have not been widely used as tools that advance equitable healthcare access. It is therefore of great necessity that we measure the maturity level of ICTs in the health sector, since knowing the maturity level will help to identify its current profile; to define its objectives for integrating ICT in health. The assessment of ICT maturity level will help to set benchmarks and goals for the future as part of their strategic planning and funding priorities.