The training aims at improving efficiency in data management and accessibility in The Gambia through the use of a technological application called the Pocket Patient MD. It is meant to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively utilise the App to capture relevant health information and provide a platform to learn and share experiences.
Thus, the Pocket Patient MD is an interoperable, integratable, customizable medical platform designed to improve clinical care, give more power and control to providers, doctors and patients. It is currently in six languages and available online and offline.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Isatou Touray, executive director of GAMCOTRAP, the women right organisation which has been engaged on women and girls said reproductive health is not only important to women and the girl-child, but also men as fathers and spouse to ensure their wellbeing in the society.
She also said, “One of the ultimate goals of GAMCOTRAP is also empowering and promoting the welfare of women in all aspects.”
Therefore, she said training the participants on such digital platform is of paramount importance, acknowledging that there is a greater need for all to be digitalised, most especially on health matters to ease medical responsiveness.
Touray observed the need for health data collection on women and girls in the society.
“There are several health complications affecting women in the society such as fistula, cervical cancer and others.”
To that end, Dr. Touray said women rights organisations need support in order to collect such data in the society to ensure the health challenges of women are known and actions taken towards that in due course.
She thus thanked the staff of Gamcotrap for working tirelessly in implementing the training, and commended all participants for their presence and participation.
In his presentation, Mark Wien, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pocket PatientMD, said the digital platform is meant to develop clinical care, give more power and control to providers, doctors and patients, adding it helps patients to access medical attention from doctors easily.
“This App also helps doctors to access previous information of patients without delay.” he noted.
Mori Kebba Danso, a participant from the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH), described the APP as important in helping medical doctors to access information of patients easily but said to ensure its implementation in The Gambia, the ministry of Health needs to be involved.
Aminata Ceesay, social media and podcast officer, GAMCOTRAP said the training enabled her to have an idea on how the Pocket Patient MD operates.
She commended the leadership of GAMCOTRAP for the initiative.
Established in 1984, The Gambia Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (GAMCOTRAP) is committed in its campaigns against female genital mutilation, and aims to promote and secure health and empowerment for women through community education.
