(contenu disponible en anglais uniquement)
Now available: SPC Regional Health Guidelines App
Health workers across the Pacific region can now access Regional Health Guidelines via their smart devices. The SPC Regional Health Guidelines App is available to download for free through the App Store and Google Play and once installed, the guidelines and documents can be accessed offline.
The app features guidelines from health areas such as surveillance, non-communicable diseases (NCDS), and clinical services and the guidelines are available in English and French.
This is part of the project “Supporting the Pacific Close the Digital Divides in Response to COVID-19” (SPCDDR-COVID-19) which is implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC) through the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network.
In the first month since its launch, a total of 99 users have downloaded the app. One of the users from Kiribati, Maritaake Ioane, a Health Inspector with the Public Health Services shared, “This app will assist me further with surveillance, particularly for outbreak investigation, not only that but this app also provides me with information on NCDs in relation to Food Safety components.”
Another user from Vanuatu, Gibson Ala, the NCD National Coordinator for the Ministry of Health said, “With this app, I will be able to have access important guidelines such as the Pacific Guideline for Healthy Living and Pacific Guideline for Healthy Living during Pregnancy to draft our national guideline for healthy living which is a priority for my NCD program. This is one of our agenda for the upcoming National Multisectoral NCD Committee meeting in May 2024. By having access to these diverse guidelines through this app, our stakeholders will be able to access it also which will be very convenient as it will be at our fingertips. Thanks to SPC.”
Dr Berlin Kafoa, Director of the Public Health Division at SPC said the Pacific Health leaders have signalled their willingness and commitment to advance digital health through various mechanisms. “This regional app is just an example of the many steps taken to progress innovation in digital health. SPC has also assisted some PICTs to develop their own country Guidelines App. The ease of accessibility with this app will no doubt benefit Pacific health workers and we will continue to work with our partners and donors to achieve digital health advancements”.
About the Project:
The SPCDDR-COVID-19 project is part of the of the Digital Response Connecting CiTizens (DIRECCT) programme, funded by the European Union (EU) in consultation with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and implemented by the French Development Agency (AFD) in coordination with the Belgian development agency (Enabel).
The project aims to progress the digital health system transformation within the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) for the immediate future and post-COVID-19 era. In support of Digital Health SPC to support seven PICTs with digital equipment such as laptops, tablets, conference equipment, internet connectivity and other related IT equipment.
