Kenya: HP and CHAI Improve Early HIV Detection Technologies for Kenyan Infants
By Jack Lundee – In Kenya, the HP technology stipulations include 5 HP data centers associated with 4 existing laboratories. According to HP, within their first year of operation, they are expected to process EID HIV test results for nearly 70,000 infants, as well as provide real-time medical data to health practitioners throughout Kenya. [1]
The system also will extend to sustain Kenya’s Ministry of Public Health & Sanitation as it widens its efforts on preventative measures for PMTCT (Mother-to-Child Transmission) services to over 3,000 facilities during the next 2 years.
The efforts with Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and the Kenya Ministry of Health demonstrate the serious role technology can have in improving access to healthcare worldwide and driving positive change for millions of people. President and CEO of HP, Léo Apotheker states, “Technological innovation holds immense promise for addressing societal challenges,” said, president and chief executive officer, HP. “
Backed by HP, a custom database application was created by students at Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya. The database application will improve medical tracking and allow test results in real-time. Similarly, it will allow SMS/GSM-enabled printers to print results in real-time.
Ultimately, the database will streamline results across multiple data centers and forward them directly to the appropriate medical professionals.
The HP Office of Global Social Innovation has already finished the installation of two data centers in Nairobi at the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the National AIDS/STI Control Program (NASCOP) headquarters.
Former President Clinton, who’s known for his great support of HIV/AIDS research in Sub-Saharan Africa has also partnered (CHAI) with HP via the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and CHAI (as previously mentioned). Brainchild of the infamous personal aid Doug Band, The CGI is a collaborative unit of global leaders, nonprofit directors and government officials that convenes to “devise and implement” innovative solutions to “some of the world’s most pressing challenges.” This includes things like healthcare, green issues and global education. Both Doug Band and President Clinton plan to provide structural and systemic improvements in the way in which they treat and test infants in Kenya.
[1] http://www.strathmore.edu/News.php?NewsID=426
