The paper analyzes the issues and challenges of the current information and communication process of private sector healthcare institutions in Ethiopia. Both qualitative and quantitative research approaches were used to collect and analyze data using surveys, interviews, observation and related secondary source documents. The analysis indicated the research gaps in the current information and communication process models and the clear direction toward a solution. This study employed a mixed research design (both exploratory and applied research) and used Google Forms for a survey and interview-based fact-finding and analysis, Microsoft Visio for model designing, and Protopie for prototyping. As a final contribution, the study designed and validated a cloud-based green information and communication process model for the federated healthcare institutions in developing countries in general and the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia in particular. This model can be used as an important instrument for inter or intra institutional collaboration and communications. Based on the user acceptance and demonstrated validation, the results indicate improvements in energy, efficiency, unified data repository, intra institutional collaboration, information sharing, trusted and ethical information and unified integration and share-ability. The test validated the model and its prototype as a new knowledge contribution to the domain. The research findings can be used as a basis for next-generation transformation of private sector healthcare institutions in developing countries such as Ethiopia.

Use of drones in plant inspection, in particular inspection involving tall stacks, to reduce safety risks has picked up considerably in the recent past. However, there are essential plant inspections that involve detailed contact-based inspection, which cannot be achieved using drones. Such cases include close-up inspections like ultrasonic inspection for corrosion studies and inspections that require customized tools. In these scenarios, use of robotic crawlers is the superior option. Leaks or accidental release of chemicals in process plants can have severe consequences, not only for workers and neighboring populace but also for the reputation and financial stability of organizations. Thus safety risk management becomes a crucial component in any work undertaken in every industry. Ultrasonic inspections involve nondestructive testing of wall thickness of tanks and piping to assess the risk of failure. Such inspections require elaborate access arrangements to preclude the possibility of fall from height accidents. The optimal way to prevent accidents to eliminate the hazard as far as reasonably practical. When work-related specific hazards are eliminated, the probability of accidents in that work becomes zero. The paper presents two practical case studies implemented in two different industries, where safety-related risk was completely eliminated using robotics, with collateral benefits in the form of reduction in outage times and a significant 60-90% overall costs savings.