The Ijara Constituency has introduced a pilot telemedicine programme to provide internet access to health facilities in Garissa.
After partnering with the Sophia Foundation, The Matter and Telkom Kenya, A-Vu Internet, a telemedicine service provider in the United States, launched the service. A-Vu Media is an IT services firm committed to offering access to broadband telemedicine, digital and networking services. The organisation donated a Sophia Foundation Telemedicine Server.
Through this collaboration, Telkom Kenya has agreed to host the new pilot system at no cost and to provide the selected institutions with Internet connectivity for the pilot process.
“Today marks a historic milestone for the people of Ijara Constituency, Garissa County and Kenyans at large as I hand over a telemedicine server to Telkom Kenya. This is an opportunity to improve healthcare for our citizens with remote connections between providers and patients through internet hosted services,” she said.
She added: “The need for this, as necessary as it has always been, has been intensified by the current coronavirus pandemic that restricts travel and personal contact between medical personnel and patients.”
“I want to express my utmost gratitude to the A-Vu Media president, John Goodman, The Matter president and staff, Telkom CEO Mugo Kibati and the Sophia Foundation Board of Directors for this astonishing achievement,” she said.
Goodman, who is the founder and CEO of the company, said they were determined to grow by partnering with healthcare providers and broadband service companies to serve the related access needs of seniors and disabled citizens.
Kibati said the world is fast changing and embracing new technology. He said there was need to move with times, promising to enhance internet connectivity across the country.
“With the internet availability, it will enable care providers to gain rapid access to information that can aid in the diagnosis of health conditions or the development of suitable treatment plans. It can make patient records, test results, and practice guidelines accessible from the examination room,” said Kibati.
The pilot phase of the project will be chosen for the trial period in seven counties across the country, including Garissa District, Garissa Referral Hospital, and Masalani Level 4 Hospital.
