ASSOCIATION FOR HEALTH INFORMATION AND LIBRARIES IN AFRICA, KENYA CHAPTER

P.O. Box 186-00202, Nairobi, Kenya

Leader in Promoting Access to Health Information

Outline

Background Information KEN-AHILA Activities Public Access to Health Information Concept Olosho oibor Dispensary ICT: E-Information Access NLM – Seed funding The Reading Tent Challenges Conclusion

Background Information The Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA)

has a registered local Chapter (KEN-AHILA) whose membership is drawn from Libraries and information centers in health organizations and institutions.

The objectives of the Association are drawn from the main AHILA objectives and include -

- Promoting closer association among health information professionals in Kenya - Promoting research and training in health information and services - Forging close collaboration with other health institutions, organizations and individuals with similar objectives and interests. Maintaining close collaboration with other organizations and

institutions both locally and internationally for the purposes of sharing knowledge, resources and expertise.

Cont’d

Local partners include, KEMRI,UON,FHOK,KMTC, KEMU,NNAK, JKUAT, Aga Khan and KU among others. International partners include INASP, NLM, WHO, Partnership in Health Information (PHI) among others

KEN-AHILA Activities:

These include among others – Disseminating health information materials to varied target groups Sharing health information resources among individual members

and their institutions Participating in outreach activities particularly in rural areas Organizing workshops and seminars for members and friends of

KEN-AHILA Supporting members to participate in local and international

forums on health information

Public Health Information Access Concept

In November, 2009, KEN-AHILA organized an IFLA/FAIFE two days TOT workshop on “Public Access to Health Information in Kenya”

Main aim of the workshop- equip health information providers and designers with skills to develop and repackage relevant health information for relevant target groups and disseminate the same at the quickest time possible.

Swedish Development Agency (SIDA) funded the workshop while PHI and IFLA/FAIFE representatives facilitated

Participants were senior health librarians from relevant organizations and also some technical advisors from International NGOs

MOPHS directors - of NASCOP, and of Health Promotion presented papers while the director for KNLS gave an overview of the her anticipated activities.

The concept was to be rolled out by the participants

Olosho oibor Dispensary

Oloishobor dispensary is 20 kilometers from Ngong town- Kajiado district The facility serves mainly the Maasai community in 12 villages with a

catchment area of about 4621 people. A Nursing Officer heads the facility with supervision being carried out

from Ngong district Hospital There are community health workers who visit households and give

periodic reports to the Nursing Officer who then forwards to the district hospital

In order for KEN-AHILA to roll out the concept -“public access to health information”, Olosh oibor Dispensary was identified as an outreach with two major activities to run concurrently-

a) Establishment of a resource centre b) Engaging the community in dialogue with drama, poems, songs, clowns, entertainment and health talks A situation analysis to establish the information needs of the community

was done

Masaai Manyatta ( houses)

Olosho oibor Dispensary

ICT: E-Information Access

KEN-AHILA embraced the use of ICT in the resource center in line with Kenya Vision 2030.

Electronic resources were/are made available for interested groups including University students in clinical attachments, para-medics in the dispensary, CHWs, teachers and students nearby and other interested groups.

In Kenya Vision 2030, innovation is the anchor to population development. Innovation revolves around information hence the government policy on “digital villages” establishment in Kenya

Olosho oibor information resource center had therefore to keep pace with the information explosion through the use of ICT

Agnes (HIRC in charge) accessing health information using the computer

Seed Funding- NLM

The project got its seed funding from the National Library of Medicine, USA.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation (MOPHS) a Model Information Resource Centre was established in Olosho oibor.

It was launched in July 2010 by Julia Royal of NLM in the presence of senior government officials

The Ministry of Health plans to replicate in other parts of the Country. KEN-AHILA will give expertise in health information packaging and

repackaging of relevant different formats for relevant target groups at all literacy levels including persons with disabilities.

KEN-AHILA will also oversee the establishment of proper manpower to ensure quality health information provision.

Launching of the Information Resource Center by Julia Royal

Julia making a point to the Masai Morans

The Reading Tent: Packaging and Repackaging

An action plan was developed indicating the activities to be undertaken, resources required, those responsible, the timeline and the anticipated outcomes

During the 2nd phase, a reading tent will be put up at the center. Plans are in the process where project activities for different groups

will be held at the center. The information resource materials will be designed and developed in

various formats. Translations into Kimaasai(Maa) will be done so as to reach those

otherwise unable to understand English or Kiswahili. The health information resource materials will be tailored to enhance

the skills of the healthcare providers and Community health Workers. The community (including Secondary and Primary schools) will also be provided with relevant health information in relevant formats..

The Reading Tents will be put up on the 13th May,2011. If successful the activity will be done annually or twice a year.

Maasai community in a tent at Olosho oibor dispensary during the Launch

Challenges

Formal and informal training of a local personnel to manage the IRC during this financial year remains a major concern to KEN-AHILA.

Government intention of posting a trained person from outside the area may not be received well by the community.

Lack of capacity to provide and influence quality dissemination of current and organised information resources to interested clients remains a concern

Sustainability of the project (though promised by the government) is still tricky taking into account the project ownership at the community level

Conclusion

For Kenya to realize the MDGs, all the stakeholders will need to combine efforts to ensure every Kenyan has access to quality health information.

Health information will empower the communities with knowledge required in prevention of persistent common diseases in respective areas hence improve on health.

Diseases have been identified as one of the major cause of morbidity and mortality eg cases of infant mortality –(MOH,2005)

Well informed individuals can take control of their health hence promote preventive healthcare

Health information compliments good medicine hence the need to strengthen information resource centers

Quality and timely evidence based health information in the best possible format should be accessible for best decision making at any level hence the need to have an excellent information resource center at Olosh oibor

Reference

1. Vision 2030: First Medium Term Plan (2008 – 2012)

2. MDGs: Status Report for Kenya – 2007(2008)

3. Mdg.net discussion forum July 2010 on EB policy

4. WHO,2009. Health in the Millennium Development Goals

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THANK YOU

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