mHealth4Afrika pre-beta validation with clinics in Ethiopia, 05 - 09 June 2017
14 June 2017
As part of ongoing co-design and stakeholder engagement, IIMC (mHealth4Afrika Coordinator) and University of Gondar (Ethiopia) undertook pre-beta validation and initial training with fourteen representatives from the Amba Giogis Health Center, Gedebye Health Centre and Chichiki Health Centre in the Wogera Wordea in North Gondar from 05 - 09 June 2017.
Amba Giorgis Health Centre (semi-urban) supports patients/clients from 6 kebeles with catchment area population of 42,750. Gebebye Health Centre (rural) supports patients/clients from 8 kebeles with a catchment area population of 51,460. Chichiki Health Centre (deep rural) supports patients/clients from 3 kebeles with a catchment area population of 13,470.
This stakeholder engagement provided the opportunity for the clinical staff to validate the updated workflow, user interface and functionality implemented based on feedback on the alpha prototype. The clinical staff identified further datasets that would be useful and gave detailed feedback on the workflow. This was very informative in relation to fine-tuning of the beta platform prior to installing in clinics for the pilot phase.
The Clinic Manager and clinical staff were provided with initial digital literacy trainig and training on the mHealth4Afrika application. It also provided an opportunity to sensitise and train the healthcare workers on shortlisted CE sensors that will be used by antenatal care nurses at the point of care during the mHealth4Afrika beta pilot to capture readings related to pulse rate, blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, temperature and weight.
The feedback provided was very positive with a high level of enthusiasm about participating in the beta pilot.
During the training sessions practicalities in relation to installing and maintaining the necessary equipment was discussed with the clinical manager.
During the pilot phase team members from the Institute of Public Health in University of Gondar will be providing active support and training both on digital literacy, the mHealth4Afrika application and the use of sensors at the point of care to take vital sign readings to be stored in the mHealth4Afrika platform.