Africa is a booming continent for smartphones and information technology and with that, healthcare is essential for the land that historically has been the last in healthcare information and care. Avallin, a Swiss company has brought healthcare and information to Kenyans with BlackBerry OS 7 smartphones.
Kenyans can easily download the free app which can provide them with instant healthcare information whether it be first aid tips, symptoms or healthcare providers and insurance information.
PRESS RELEASE
Nairobi, Kenya 13 August, 2012 – Today, Avallain, an online education specialist that uses ICT to positively impact human development, announced a new mobile health app for BlackBerry® smartphone customers in Kenya. The iAfya app allows users to quickly and easily find comprehensive and trusted health information and resources at their fingertips from any location, which is ideal for people living and working in remote areas.
According to analyst firm, Informa Telecoms and Media, the number of people in Africa with access to mobile phones is over 560 million and exceeds those with access to the Internet by nearly five to one. Well designed, easy-to-use mobile applications therefore have a critical role in extending basic healthcare information to under-served communities.
Free to download on the BlackBerry App World™ storefront, the indispensible iAfya app is available for all BlackBerry smartphones running the BlackBerry® 7 OS (or higher), including the BlackBerry® Curve™ 9320 and BlackBerry® Curve™ 9220, which recently launched in Kenya. Whether someone is looking up symptoms or first aid tips for a family member, or a healthcare worker researching medical procedures and treatment options on the go, the iAfya mobile app offers quick and reliable answers to everyday health questions. The app also puts customers in direct touch with service providers - from insurance to healthcare professionals.
The app was developed by Avallain to support the iAfya foundation, which is contributing to the long-term goals for mobile health services in Kenya. Avallain designed the iAfya app content according to Kenyan government guidelines to meet the highest quality standards, which are provided by the Ministry of Medical Services and the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation.
"Access to even basic health information can be expensive and complicated for many
people in our society. iAfya provides a platform where people can access health information at their convenience for free,” explained Shelmith Mumbi, Avallain's Content Manager. “iAfya aims to close the gap between the health workers and the public and improve the level of knowledge for health workers themselves, a critical group for any effort to improve public health,” she added.
Connecting community health workers is important to help improve health care in Kenya. The iAfya app will also enable health workers in the field to access relevant and up to date health information while on the go, and help to improve service delivery.
Waldi Wepener Regional Director for East, West and Central Africa at Research In Motion added, “According to Canalys, the BlackBerry brand continues to lead Africa in terms of smartphone adoption. As well as connecting the Continent, we see the mobile Internet becoming the key platform for accessing information and services in areas such as education and health. We are pleased to support Avallian to help facilitate access to relevant health information for the people of Kenya and will continue to work with our many partners in the thriving Kenyan mobile development community to support the future of the East African ICT industry.”
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