Lasting digital development requires sufficient competences in software development, implementation and IT architecture. Africa eHealth Foundation aims to develop this capacity in a practical way, by developing Open Source applications that can be integrated with other applications including AfyaPro 2.0 Connected Care. The development of the applications has to be done in Africa with the proper involvement of users and should be fully integrated with the local eco system. In this way local competence is built up and appropriate solutions are developed for the African context.
These solutions will be provided free of charge to health facilities, health professionals, patients and their families. Through the Africa eHealth network structure these solutions will become available to many users across Africa.
A number of solutions are already available and only need to be customised. For other technologies, such as machine-based learning and blockchain applications, substantial development and testing still has to be done. Africans will play a key role in this, both as users and developers. The mobile phone is the main device on the user side.
Boosting IT competences in Africa is also a core objective of Africa eHealth Foundation. Africa eHealth Solutions has a vested interest in supporting Africa eHealth Foundation in this matter. Africa eHealth operates with AfyaPro 2.0 Connected Care software. This is a one-stop solution for a hospital. The core is the VitalHealth premium platform, which is proprietary software. This ensures: (1) regular updates in synch with developments in Europe and USA, (2) appropriate support and maintenance and (3) data security and privacy. The software can be easily connected to new applications. The AfyaPro 2.0 Connected Care contains an integration hub that uses Open standards.
Under this objective two activities have been identified so far:
- The development of Open Source software in close co-operation with the College of Computer Sciences of the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- Collaboration with a network of young programmers in Ghana (via Enviu).