In sub-saharian Africa, the DSF has contributed to the ICT part of programmes in the fight against HIV/AIDS at community level. The direct beneficiaries are the associations of the fight against AIDS, their medical and care staff, as well as people living with HIV and their families (between 150 and 2,300 people for each of the 6 associations at Burkina Faso).

The pilot site of Ouahigouya is located to the north of Burkina Faso, in an area without internet access. The project has several objectives, each corresponding to distinct areas of activity: basic training in IT tools, distance learning, telemedicine and the development of income-generating activities (setting up a community cybercafé). 

Thanks to VSAT connections and to IT equipment made available by the DSF, the AMMIE association has been able to benefit from medical training dispensed by the RAFT network. Resulting from this is a reinforcement of the capabilities of its medical service and a clear improvement in the quality of patient care.  

At the end of 24 months of operation, the Ouahigouya project has successfully accomplished:

Training

• Basic training of the AMMIE association staff (data entry, internet navigation, communication, e-mail, chat, mobile voice over, activity reports, correspondence).

• Specialized training in the area of health (data base management, medical files, stocks of antiretroviral drugs).

• Training on the RAFT network (advanced use by doctors, remote consultations, data exchange).

• Continued training of people who have acquired basic knowledge and training of cybercafé users.

Telemedicine

• Exchange of information and medical data with hospitals of the region and the University Hospital of Geneva.

• Tele-consultation sessions through RAFT software or by video-conferencing.

Setting up a community cybercafé

• Construction of a building, installation of 20 computers, training in cybercafé management.

• Today, the cybercafé is working and profitable (it offers free access for ill or deprived people).