eHealth Digest September - December 2016

The Aga Khan Development Network’s eLearning Programme Featured in WHO’s 3rd Global eHealth Survey Report

The Aga Khan Development Network’s eLearning Programme in Afghanistan and Pakistan was featured in the World Health Organization’s 3rd global survey on eHealth titled, “Global diffusion of eHealth: Making universal health coverage achievable.” The survey is conducted by the WHO Global Observatory for eHealth and investigates how eHealth can support universal health coverage in member states. The section on the AKDN eLearning Programme discusses the need for and initiation of the Programme, its structure, services, evolution and future direction.

The eLearning Programme facilitates professional development and capacity building via Internet and Communication Technologies. It aims to increase knowledge, enhance clinical and managerial skills and enable health professionals to deliver improved quality of care to patients.

A total of 125 countries participated in the survey. The report is accessible at: http://who.int/goe/publications/global_diffusion/en/ with the section on the eLearning Programme on page 88.

This is the second time the AKDN eHealth Programme has been included in a WHO Report. In 2015, the Programme was featured as a case study in the WHO report, “From innovation to implementation – eHealth in the WHO European Region (2016).”

An eLearning session being conducted by the French Medical Institute for Children for the Faizabad Provincial Hospital (pictured) and the Bamyan Provincial Hospital.

AKDN eHRC Visits Kyrgyz Republic to Discuss eHealth Programme’s Expansion and Sustainability

In October, AKDN eHRC visited Kyrgyz Republic to provide trainings and meet with officials to discuss progress, expansion and sustainability of eHealth activities in the country. A series of meetings were held with the Ministry of Health, Kyrgyz Republic (MoH, KR); leadership of hospitals in Naryn, Bishkek and At-Bashy; and the Swiss Medical Education Reforms Project team. Health care providers and eHealth coordinators in Bishkek were also trained on VirtualDoc, a patient management system designed by AKDN eHRC.

Discussions with MoH, KR and leadership of the hospitals were also carried out regarding the MoH, KR taking full ownership of the eHealth Programme in the country beyond 2017.

Beishenaliev Ilim, Director, At-Bashy Hospital (centre) meets with AKDN eHRC (left) to discuss eHealth plans for the hospital.

Teeko is promoted at a stall at the 2nd All Pakistan DICE Health Innovation Exhibition 2016.

Teeko Mobile App Exhibited at the 2nd All Pakistan DICE Health Innovation Exhibition 2016

Team members from the Aga Khan University and AKDN eHRC participated in the 2nd All Pakistan DICE Health Innovation Exhibition to promote Teeko, a mobile application and web portal developed to assist with vaccinator and immunization tracking and monitoring. Videos and presentations on Teeko were shown to visitors who visited the booth. The exhibition showcased health innovations from across Pakistan and was organised by the DICE Foundation, USA and the Dow University of Health and Sciences, Pakistan. The event took place on December 23 and 24, 2016 at the Expo Centre in Karachi, Pakistan.

AKDN eHRC Presents Teeko Mobile App at the Connected Health Conference

Saleem Sayani, Director, AKDN eHRC attended the Connected Health Conference in Washington D.C., USA in December 2016 to present on Teeko, the mobile application and web portal designed to assist with vaccinator and immunisation tracking and monitoring. The presentation consisted of a video highlighting the challenges of immunisations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), followed by an interactive, hands-on demonstration of the mobile application.

The presentation focused on how the app has helped improve routine immunisation governance and monitoring in Tando Mohammad Khan, Pakistan, the focus area of the study, how technology has helped strengthen immunisation coverage and the challenges and barriers faced during implementation.

This year’s conference theme was, “Personal Connected Health for All: Expanding Reach, Accelerating Impact,” focusing on the exchange of new research, actionable knowledge such as best practices, lessons learned, conclusive case studies and opportunities in connected health.

The Connected Health Conference is a diverse gathering of public sector and health and technology industry leaders working at the intersection of innovative product and service development, research, business and policy throughout the world. Teeko was appreciated by the audience and the presentation was well-received.

Abdul Muqeet, Manager, eHealth Innovation, AKDN eHRC, presents the AKDN eHealth Programme at the ITU Regional Development Forum for Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) and Georgia.

AKDN eHRC Presents at the ITU Regional Development Forum for Commonwealth Independent States and Georgia in Kyrgyz Republic

AKDN eHRC and the Aga Khan Foundation, Kyrgyz Republic presented the AKDN eHealth Programme at the ITU Regional Development Forum for Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) and Georgia. The presentation focused on eHealth initiatives specifically in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan. The theme of the forum was ‘ICT for Sustainable Development.’

Regional Development Forums provide an opportunity for high-level dialogue, cooperation and partnerships among telecommunication and ICT policy-makers, regulators, industry, academia, regional and international development agencies and organisations on specific regional telecommunication and ICT issues.

The Forum was held at the Kyrgyz State Technical University in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic on November 8, 2016.