African participation in AFRO-NETS (5)
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Davidson Gwatkin's complains:
I've been struck not only about the degree of interest
in health cards, but also by how few Africans have been
participating in the debate. ....This seems to be a debate among
North Americans and Europeans about Africa, with Africans
pretty much on the sidelines.
Possibly this communication does not reach the "RIGHT 'AFRICANS'.." I am
excluding those with access to the "super information highway" and would
not blink to any discussion in the health-net however touchy/relevant it
may be to them...if at all they know that it exists...and take the trouble
to subscribe
These "RIGHT AFRICANS" are those "truly" in the field, those who prescribe,
those who keep records, those who decide on which forms to carry to a
health facility or from a health facility, those in African Institutions
concerned with HIS...The District or Regional Medical Officers..ETC.
I'd like to suggest that the Afro-net organizers
systematically monitor Afro-net traffic from this perspective,
and let us know what they find out about the geographic
location/background of contributors after two or three months.
A useful breakdown might be contributions: a) from outside
Africa; b) from representatives of international agencies
posted in Africa; c) from Africans working in African
institutions.
How Many "RIGHT" Institutions and persons in Africa have access to this fa-
cility and more precisely to this discussion?
The benefits brought by Information technology to the health are still far
from reach here in Africa. To me I have the feeling that the traffic goes
on un-noticed and our colleagues take it for granted that "we all" are con-
nected..." The worry is not justified.
Best regards,
John Kimario
Data Manager & Systems Operator
Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre
IFAKARA - TANZANIA
mailto:sysop@tan3.healthnet.org
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