Poor health information systems have been identified as a major challenge in the health-care system in many developing countries including Sub-Saharan African countries. Africa remains among the under-developed continents in the world, despite its rich natural resources, available labor force and expansive land for development. Unlike other developed continents, Africa, and especially the Sub-Saharan region, still endure major problems in the access to essential human needs like shelter, food and healthcare. The system is often challenged by a lack of sustainable funding, poorly-equipped facilities, erratic supply chains, and shortages of healthcare professionals. Timely and accurate data about the health and sanitation status of most inhabitants in Sub-Saharan Africa is scanty and not readily available. Data collection happens manually and it takes three months on average before data collected at the community level is incorporated in the formal system.
M-Jali, Mobile-Jamii Afya Link, is AEL’s innovative solution for improving collection, analysis and dissemination of community data. It incorporates a mobile application for capturing data at the household level and transmitting it to a web-based database. Data collection is undertaken by the CHWs in even the most remote areas of Africa, and that provides Governments and health facilities with access to timely, accurate and complete health data. This information is critical to governments for effective and efficient allocations of health interventions and resources.
The M-Jali platform presents huge opportunities for the future of healthcare technology through Business and Artificial Intelligence, data integration and analytics as well as monetization of data. M-Jali integrates with District Health Information Software 2 (DHIS2) – a free and open source health management data platform used by Governments worldwide as a reporting tool. DHIS2 is used to aggregate statistical data collection, validation, analysis, management, and presentation.
M-Jali applies all the three business models; fee for service for the development and customization of the different modules and software; the subscription model for the users collecting and interpreting the data and the freemium model for the solutions targeted at the County Governments. The platform has so far had the following reach in our communities:
- 3,911 Community Health Workers trained on the platform
- 391,100 Community household members supported with household registration, monthly reporting and much needed referral services
