IICD supported project: WebPortal Services Afya Net - Tanzania

Countries: Tanzania [TZ]
Sectors: health

Summary

The implementation of ICT in the health sector requires knowledge, best practices and appropriate procedures to spread through the sector and to professionalize health management. AfyaMtandao (HealthNet in Swahili) will contribute to this. In view of the present dispersed ICT initiatives in the health sector, a platform to share experiences and to pool ‘demand’ will generate considerable added value and provide cost effective solutions.

Secondly, AfyaMtandao will provide local ICT support services like ICT training, ICT helpdesk, quality standards for the local ICT industry and brokerage/pooling of bandwidth provision. AfyaMtandao will develop based on the needs articulated by its members. It will be complementary to existing initiatives and developments in the market sector.

Update

Updated: 2008-06-02

The network is under establishment. A draft constitution is available. Consultation sessions are ongoing. The final establishment is expected by end of June 2008 at the latest.

Early 2008 an AfyaMtandao Launch Workshop was organised with nearly 30 doctors in charge of hospitals and health centres in the Lake Zone.

Objectives

1. To create an organizational nucleus around which members can exchange knowledge, share experiences and innovate ICT in the field of health care delivery in Tanzania.

2. To assure timely and effective technical ICT support to its members through local training of staff of members and ICT support service providers and stimulate the development of a pool of consultants, establishment of a track record of ICT support service providers. Additional options are: distance trouble-shooting, sub contracting of local technical advisors if desired by the members.

3. To reduce costs of bandwidth by at least 30% compared to the current market tariffs and to provide specialized and secured connectivity solutions to its members (e.g. dedicated bandwidth for telemedicine or e-learning solutions) at relatively low costs. This will be realized through being a platform to pool, negotiate and support cost effective and reliable connectivity solutions for its members.