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Software medical cards from Rwanda

The system of electronic cards, which allows many different types of data to be layers in a single image is to improve health through Rwanda.

Digital maps, the so-called geographic information systems (GIS), are intended to gather information from multiple databases and use it to track and predict outbreaks of disease.

This can be used to assist developing countries to better utilize its limited resources. For example, GIS is used to organize data on groups of diseases and the availability of drinking water.

“Roads, power lines and buildings can be digitized, you can also get information about the characteristics of buildings, whether residential, commercial,” Max Baber from the University of California in Redlands, is a leading GIS project in Rwanda, Li World Service Bi-Bi - Si programme Digital Planet.

“Once things in a certain place, you can begin to explore the spatial relationships between them.”

Gathering information

By putting this information together with a map can be found correlations between things that can not be apparent for charts and tables.

The information gathered in Rwanda, for instance, shows not only the health situation, but also electricity and water supply in general. The number of newly reported cases of such diseases as malaria, have occurred in various parts of the country.

Layers on the interactive map can be used in respect of certain medical services and supplies are most needed, for example.

“If you start collecting data and link it in its place, then you can see the relationship between things such as access to dirty water and polluted water affects the health of these places,” added Mr. Baber.

The system can health workers in Rwanda, track the number of malaria cases in each medical center. One point on the map at the center of each hospital seems more or less depending on the number of cases.

“You can look at the view, where important cases, where malaria is increasing or decreasing, where people have the highest risk,” Nicole Ubashaea, which uses the GIS system in his office in the center for geographic information systems in Butare, he said.

“You have no table and overlapping of print maps and compare all.”

Data intensive

GIS also has many other applications - from development of the energy needs of the city, the effects of heavy industry on the environment or the impact of deforestation on carbon dioxide emissions.

The main task is to gather enough information to a reliable database.

But the result could have far-reaching implications for public policy and the optimum use of time and money

“Politicians, like everyone else receive the value of information provided to them”, said Mr. Baber.

“We represent a clear idea about them, if they are on the map.

“You can talk all you want, but as soon as maps that clearly show that the relationship involved and help the Government of Rwanda to effectively manage its resources.”

adapted from http://news.bbc.co.uk