Satellife's Health Information Project

In the first phase of the project, SATELLIFE provided the American Red Cross (ARC) with PDAs to be used for conducting field surveys in conjunction with a measles immunisation program in Ghana in December, 2001. Use of PDAs enabled volunteers to gather and submit data electronically, simplifying and speeding up the process. Thirty Ghanaian Red Cross volunteers were trained in the use of PDAs over a two-day period. They were able to complete over 2,400 surveys in three days (the traditional paper-and-pen survey method would have yielded 200 surveys). Survey data were processed, analysed, and reported quickly.

Phase two was conducted in Kenya and Uganda in March, 2002. SATELLIFE loaded 80 PDAs with medical reference materials (several textbooks; HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria guidelines and drug lists specific to Kenya and Uganda; and a medical calculator) and a short survey on Malaria. The PDAs were shipped to Moi and Makerere University Medical Schools where they were distributed to sixth-year medical students and physicians.

Health, HIV/AIDS, Technology.

Lack of information on treatments and disease management exacerbates health care problems like HIV/AIDS in Africa. Many students and physicians do not own a textbook during their medical education and training. They may not be aware of the fact that they are lacking clinical guidelines on HIV/AIDS, for example, that are critical in diagnosis and treatment.

The developing world still represents a high-risk area for high tech companies. To date, products have been designed and marketed to meet the needs and resources of Western markets. As a demonstration of the viability and usefulness of a relatively new technology in Africa, this project hopes to stimulate a new market and provide incentives to the corporate sector to develop relevant tools at an affordable price for Africans users.

From April to December, 2002, SATELLIFE will collect survey data and monitor how the participants use the PDAs and the information resources provided. An independent evaluation will then be conducted to explore how the technology impacts the behaviour of health professionals and the quality of care they deliver.

SATELLIFE was named a 2004 Tech Museum Awards Laureate. The Tech Museum of Innovation, located in San Jose, CA (USA), announced 25 Laureates for the awards programme, which celebrates those who leverage new and existing technologies to benefit humanity. SATELLIFE was named a Laureate for the Health Category Award.