In a recent post about Linux distributions and Open Source projects, Celeste Lyn Paul writes:
The open source operating system experience exists in pieces, scattered across a world of projects and technologies. Distributions exist because they attempt to create a unified experience from the bits and pieces of open source functionality out in that world, while establishing themselves as a vendor their users can trust.
Here, of course, she is writing about KDE and Kubuntu, but this discussion about distributions is relevent to IntraHealth.
In the recent retreat, the Informatics team talked about moving into a support role for the iHRIS software instead of the primary developer. We might look at what Ms. Paul writes about Linux distributions for direction and consider supporting and developing a Linux distribution focused on Health and Medicine.
The closest thing I can find in the Open Source space to a Health Care oriented Linux distribution is Debian Medical. It includes software related to
This is obviously broader than our focus, but as we begin to become support for developers instead of the sole developer, it would help to have an awareness of other open-source medical software out there and a
way to distribute it to partners easily.
Also, look over Debian Medical’s project goals. The following ones jump out at me as a perfect match for what IntraHealth is doing in Open Source:
When I first learned about Debian Medical, I wasn’t sure how “alive” it was. Was this just another piece of abandoned hopes and dreams that so many open source projects seem to be comprised of?
But a quick glance at last month’s mail archives shows that this small custom Debian distribution is thriving.
As we engage the open source community more, we should look at becoming active members of Debian Medical. Engaging the community in this way would help us learn about relevant conferences, broaden our knowledge of other software, and present opportunities to integrate our software with other Open Source software out there.
I believe this sort of engagement will cement our reputation as leaders in this field.
The blog talk-share-learn recently posted a roundup of international development projects that are using mobile phones to deliver information and services. This list highlights what a powerful tool the mobile phone is and how many ways it can be used in low-resource settings. Here are some of the applications used for health care:
Community health workers in Rwanda.
One of IntraHealth International’s projects, the Last Mile Initiative, is designing an Open Source application for data collection and reporting via cell phones and other mobile devices to create a telecommunications-enabled Community Health Services Information System for the health sector in Rwanda.
The automated system itself is designed to rely on a centralized voice-response unit. Community health workers will make phone calls to the central processor and will be prompted to provide service data on a set of pre-determined indicators. The data collected via the voice response system will then be written to the database. Managers will be able to call into the system to retrieve performance data indicating how well their communities are meeting targets or performing as compared to the district, regional and/or national averages. The automated system also will support the broadcasting of updates from district, regional or national authorities that will keep health workers abreast of recent policy changes and disease outbreaks.
This project is just now getting under way. Visit the IntraHealth Informatics blog for updates over the next few months.
I wanted to share some resources I’ve recently discovered that promote the use of free and open source software (FOSS) in Africa. Some of these applications are for health, some are for other purposes. But the more open source software becomes familiar to users in the developing world, and the more they use and trust free software, the more likely they will be to adopt an open source information system like iHRIS. We are all working toward the same goals: providing low-cost, sustainable software that helps these countries improve their systems.
What is happening with HRIS Strengthening? Get news about our ongoing work in the field, find out when new features and releases of the software are available, learn more about human resource information systems, and join the conversation. Your comments and questions are welcome.