This step focuses on determining whether there are important social or economic development
goals or commitments that should be considered as part of developing a national eHealth
vision. While eHealth strategies are primarily developed to deliver health benefits for countries,
they can also be an important mechanism for facilitating cooperation at the regional level and
driving investment in ICT infrastructure, research and development. For example, a national
eHealth strategy could establish incentives and facilitate the development of technologies for
export, promote a new market, or serve as a driver for innovation in the nation’s health ICT
sector.