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Jan 27, 2020
In Congo’s Ebola zone, misinformation persists even as cases slow
Fighting the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has proven deadly – not only to aid responders who have suffered nearly 400 attacks since the outbreak began in 2018, but also to those fighting the spread of misinformation about the disease.
Jan 25, 2020
A data revolution for all
It has now been almost two decades since the original launch of DATA.org, a non-profit that marshaled $100 billion in debt forgiveness for poor countries, and another $50 billion in contributions for health and development. In a world with more data and data-science expertise than ever, it’s time to revive that innovative spirit.
Jan 7, 2020
Effectiveness of an electronic partogram: A mixed-method, quasi-experimental study among skilled birth attendants in Kenya
Timely identification and management of intrapartum complications could significantly reduce maternal deaths, intrapartum stillbirths, and newborn deaths due to hypoxia. The World Health Organization (WHO) identifies monitoring of labor using the paper partograph as a high-priority intervention for identifying abnormalities in labor and fetal well-being. This article describes a mixed-method, quasi-experimental study to assess the effectiveness of an Android tablet-based electronic, labor clinical decision-support application (ePartogram) in limited-resource settings.
Jan 1, 2020
What happens if you skip your flu vaccine? This VR game shows you the deadly consequences
What happens if you skip your flu vaccine? This VR game shows you the deadly consequences
Nov 12, 2019
The impact of an integrated electronic immunization registry and logistics management information system on vaccine availability in three regions in Tanzania: A pre-post and time-series analysis
Since 2016, the Government of Tanzania has been implementing TImR, an integrated Electronic Immunization registry-logistics management information system (EIR-LMIS) that includes stock notifications. The objective of this study is to estimate the impact of this intervention on vaccine availability.
Nov 8, 2019
Hey Siri. What is the key to more gender equal technology solutions?
The international attention received by ‘I’d Blush if I Could’, a newly released publication from UNESCO and the EQUALS Skills Coalition, has helped highlight the severity of gender divides in digital skills. Around the world, women and girls are falling behind men and boys when it comes to cultivating the skills and competencies needed to harness the power digital technology.
Sep 30, 2019
A new global initiative aims to use AI to improve public health in the developing world
It’s challenging enough to develop artificial intelligence models using health data generated at the world’s most elite academic medical centers. Now, a group of humanitarian organizations is taking on an even steeper challenge: using data collected in developing countries to improve public health overseas.
Sep 25, 2019
Examining inequality: How geography and gender stack the deck for (or against) you
We were born in a wealthy country to white, well-off parents who lived in thriving communities and were able to send us to excellent schools. These factors, among many others, put us in a great position to be successful. There are billions of people on the other side of these dividing lines, however. For hundreds of millions of people around the world, hardship is all but guaranteed.
Sep 16, 2019
Artificial Intelligence in Africa’s healthcare: Ethical considerations
Artificial intelligence (AI) can improve various aspects of healthcare. It can help reduce annual expenditure, allow early detection of diseases, provide round-the-clock monitoring for chronic disorders, and help limit the exposure of healthcare professionals in contagious environments. The use of AI in healthcare systems in Africa, in particular, can eliminate inefficiencies such as misdiagnosis, shortage in healthcare workers, and wait and recovery time. However, it is important to safeguard against issues such as privacy breaches, or lack of personalised care and accessibility.
Sep 13, 2019
Bridging the digital divide in health care
The global reach of mobile phones has all the hallmarks of a success story. For many in developing countries, it’s often the only way to connect to the internet and access valuable knowledge, resources, and trade opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. But alongside this empowering potential lies a troubling reality. Just under half the world’s population is still cut off from the internet. This statistic was highlighted in SDG Pulse, the first edition of an annual report on progress towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs), which was launched on June 25 by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).