Doctors unveil 'iafya' mobile app for health information

Whether you are looking for symptoms of common diseases, learn about minor and major conditions surrounding pregnancy, information about carrying out first aid procedures or want to learn how to manage a pregnancy, the www.iafya app.org comes in handy.

Better still it is free for all provided one is connected to the internet.

Do you have a health related question that you have ever wanted to ask a medical doctor?

Well if your answer is yes then you probably do not need to meet a doctor face-to-face because your query could have already been answered online.

A group of medical professionals have launched a mobile app that answers most of the health concerns affecting masses.

The app can be accessed via any mobile phone connected to the internet or even through a personal computer.

If you are a health worker and your client has a question that you cannot answer, then probably you need to consult iafya.org app before you even think of dialling a doctor for advice.

The iafya app contains information about symptoms, prevention and treatment of many common diseases that affect the masses. Medical procedures and conditions are also explained in a simple language for the benefit of even those those who cannot comprehend medical jargon.

Whether you are looking for symptoms of common diseases, learn about minor and major conditions surrounding pregnancy, information about carrying out first aid procedures or want to learn how to manage a pregnancy, the iafya app comes in handy.

Better still it is free for all provided one is connected to the internet.

According to Allan Mackenzie, Managing Director of Avallain Africa, the organisation running iafya, health information is widely available on the Internet but authenticity of such information is what makes many Internet users hesitant to rely on it.

He says the professionals behind the initiative aim to empower health workers and the general population with accurate health information.

Encouraging is the fact that the professionals behind the project are of medical background meaning the information shared would be authentic and dependable.

With 3 years of clinical practice, and 5 years of experience in health systems in developing countries, Dr. Mackenzie holds degrees in Health Economics and medicine from the University of Cape Town and the University of Nairobi as well as a Diploma in IT from Strathmore University.

His partners include Lilian Obwolo Akello (Uganda) who has has a Master's Degree in Public Health (2008) and currently trains health workers in Kampala, Uganda.

Conrad Frederick Kwesi Buckle (Ghana): qualified is a consultant in Emergency Medicine at Barnet Hospital, London and is Vice‐President of the African Federation of Emergency Medicine (AFEM); Vice‐President of the Ghanaian Doctors and Dentists Association (UK). Another partner, Carla Maisel (South Africa currently works in Cape Town. Other experts include Dr Ngure Nyagah and Shelmith Mumbi.

Dr Mackenzie says people can manage and avoid suffering that comes with most diseases if they had access to the right information about prevention and mamagement of the ailments

Through a mobile application, iafya, the doctors hope everyone with a mobile phone connected to the internet would access information that promotes well being.

The app comes bundled with education content such as illustrated health messages and videos – designed to make public uptake of health information fun and cater to a less literate audience.

Kiswahili versions of the video content further expands the reach and usefulness meaning even health workers and masses less eloquent in English can find the resource helpful.