I am a critical care nurse, educator and life-long student! This blog was created as a requirement for an e-learning module. It is an area for reflection on learning, sharing materials and information with fellow classmates.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Meeting the Millenium Development Goals for Health

I had the most incredible experience last night. My boss asked me to stand in for her at a roundtable meeting of Healthcare Stakeholders sponsored by Philips. Delegates were invited to discuss how the Private and Public Healthcare sectors could collaborate to meet the Millenium Development Goals for Health. I had very little expectation of this meeting, and honestly thought that I would be able to sit anonymously listening and learning. The venue was the ballroom at Kelvin Grove - so I had reasonable expectations of many people in attendance. This was not so. And I am slowly learning that one should never assume anything. I need to reclaim the Girl Guide Motto of Be Prepared! There were only eight people in attendance - including the chair of Dimension Data, the Director of a Medical Information Technology Company (Geomed), the chair of the Radiology Society, the vice-chair of the Medical Devices Society.....the list goes on and on! 

I felt pretty intimidated as each person was introduced together with their credentials and "what they bring to the table" (as read out by Bongani Bingwa of Carte Blanche Medical fame). When it was my turn, my little heart was pounding. I have no impressive affiliations or qualifications, but I soon realised that what I brought to the table was a passion for healthcare and a little bit of knowledge about Education! I have never been more grateful that I embarked on this MPhil HSE journey (but really wish I had applied myself more in certain areas!).

If you've read this far (you deserve a medal), and you are about to be rewarded with some amazing technology solutions that were touched on at this meeting (well maybe). There was a big emphasis on the development of mobile applications for healthcare. Apparently a Mobile Applications Lab is being established in Africa - you can only begin to imagine the scope of these applications for improved healthcare and education! 

Check out this Stellenbosch-based technology information company Geomed - it is truly phenomenal how they are using mobile technology to assist health care practitioners and ultimately to improve healthcare. 

I know that I am only at the very beginning of this e-learning journey, but it feels like it is gonna be one helluva ride!
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3 comments:

  1. gfiliesJuly 22, 2010 at 9:39 AM

    Sounds very interesting, technology is the way forward...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dr JP BosmanJuly 22, 2010 at 12:48 PM

    There is a lot of movement in the medical field to mobile learning. Also of telemedicine. The MRC is also embarking on a Telemedicine drive, partnering with the Industrial Engineering Dept of Stellenbosch University, in delivering a short course in Telemedicine, as well as organising a Telemedicine conference later in September.

    Have look at web address: http://www.satelemedicine.co.za/

    Otherwise, I think you are correct - armed with the kind of educational background in this type of programme, does give one an advantage to talk with a host of people on the highest level. Glad you stood your ground and could contribute to such a lofty forum. Keep flying the flag!

    ReplyDelete
  3. GiseJuly 22, 2010 at 2:29 PM

    I think the idea of mobile phone is very practical because are widely available within the low income population, and do not require time to seat in front of a computer, in the walk you can be connected to internet without time wasted.

    ReplyDelete

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