Anymore Magawa
MASVINGO – Non-profit
health organisation SolidarMed last week organised an E-health hackathon at
Charles Austin Theatre where various issues were raised and discussed under the
theme, ‘Strengthening Health Service Delivery Through Digitalisation’.
health organisation SolidarMed last week organised an E-health hackathon at
Charles Austin Theatre where various issues were raised and discussed under the
theme, ‘Strengthening Health Service Delivery Through Digitalisation’.
The
E-health hackathon is a community-driven initiative meant to help drive digital
solutions by strengthening the country’s health systems through digitisation
and technology.
E-health hackathon is a community-driven initiative meant to help drive digital
solutions by strengthening the country’s health systems through digitisation
and technology.
Speaking
at the event, SolidarMed programmes manager Ronald Manhibi said there were many
gaps in the health systems of many African countries and the E-health hackathon
was aimed at helping to bridge the gap.
at the event, SolidarMed programmes manager Ronald Manhibi said there were many
gaps in the health systems of many African countries and the E-health hackathon
was aimed at helping to bridge the gap.
“In
low and middle-income countries, health systems seem to be lagging behind for
many reasons so the E-health hackathon employs information technology and health
experts to make a difference,” said Manhibi.
low and middle-income countries, health systems seem to be lagging behind for
many reasons so the E-health hackathon employs information technology and health
experts to make a difference,” said Manhibi.
The
initiative explores the health problems that Masvingo community faces and
identifies trends to address those problems through a social network platform
called Inyasha (Iyi Ndiyo Yedu Aid and Support Health App) which SolidarMed developed
specifically for that function.
initiative explores the health problems that Masvingo community faces and
identifies trends to address those problems through a social network platform
called Inyasha (Iyi Ndiyo Yedu Aid and Support Health App) which SolidarMed developed
specifically for that function.
The
application is now used in hospitals like Silveira, St Antony’s Musiso and
Mashoko mission hospitals in Masvingo province.
application is now used in hospitals like Silveira, St Antony’s Musiso and
Mashoko mission hospitals in Masvingo province.
Masvingo
Provincial Health Director (PHD) Amadeus Shamu praised the initiative which he
said should be supported and developed further.
Provincial Health Director (PHD) Amadeus Shamu praised the initiative which he
said should be supported and developed further.
“In
many countries health care services are data-driven so we encourage local
health experts and computer experts to interact in their full capacity to
enhance vibrant health systems. Technology amplifies people’s intentions and
voices, it activates local agency and utilises local capacity,” said Shamu.
many countries health care services are data-driven so we encourage local
health experts and computer experts to interact in their full capacity to
enhance vibrant health systems. Technology amplifies people’s intentions and
voices, it activates local agency and utilises local capacity,” said Shamu.
Great
Zimbabwe University (GZU) philosophy lecturer Professor Munyaradzi Mawere said it
was critical for people to think about challenges in the local health systems
and be able to appreciate E-health solutions.
Zimbabwe University (GZU) philosophy lecturer Professor Munyaradzi Mawere said it
was critical for people to think about challenges in the local health systems
and be able to appreciate E-health solutions.
“We
need to understand African culture and see how E-health initiative can be
employed as an intervention against all diseases including the Ebola which is
prevalent in Central and West Africa.
need to understand African culture and see how E-health initiative can be
employed as an intervention against all diseases including the Ebola which is
prevalent in Central and West Africa.
Mawere
touted Zambia as a success story of E-health interventions, saying the country
had developed a national E-health record system called SmartCare.
touted Zambia as a success story of E-health interventions, saying the country
had developed a national E-health record system called SmartCare.
