In a world driven by technology, it’s easy to forget that a significant portion of the global population still lacks basic access information about healthcare services. This is especially apparent in more remote and underserved areas of the world.
One organization, Health eVillages, is working to change that.
Health eVillages was founded in 2011 in partnership with the not-for-profit Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights organization. The person behind its launch is Donato Tramuto, founder of the TramutoPorter Foundation.
It was established on the premise that no one should be barred from healthcare because of geographical or socio-economic barriers. The organization aims to improve the quality of medical care in all areas of the world, especially those in challenging clinical environments. It does so by providing mobile health technology and training to healthcare professionals internationally.
Health eVillages works on a simple but powerful principle: empower healthcare professionals in remote and resource-limited areas with the latest medical information and tools, and they can provide better care to their communities.
The organization provides healthcare professionals with handheld devices, like iPads and iPhones, preloaded with medical reference and clinical decision support tools. These tools can be used offline, making them ideal for areas with limited or no internet connectivity. Health eVillages customizes the content on these devices according to the most pressing local health needs, ranging from primary care to HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases.
Over the years, Health eVillages has made a significant impact in underserved areas worldwide. For instance, in Lwala, Kenya, the organization’s mobile devices have helped increase the number of safe deliveries for expectant mothers, contributing to a significant reduction in maternal and infant mortality. In Haiti, Health eVillages supported the establishment of the Regis College Haiti Project, which provides nursing education to strengthen the local healthcare system.
In the United States, Health eVillages has partnered with multiple organizations to improve rural healthcare, such as the TramutoPorter Foundation in rural Maine, where they’ve provided scholarship assistance and mobile health technology to local healthcare professionals.
In the face of a global digital divide, Health eVillages is harnessing the power of technology to improve healthcare access and outcomes in some of the most remote and underserved communities worldwide. With a decade of service and numerous successful projects in its wake, Health eVillages continues to embody the belief that geography and income should not dictate a person’s access to quality healthcare.
Through ongoing collaborations and innovative use of mobile health technology, Health eVillages is empowering healthcare professionals and transforming lives – one village at a time.
