Soul Beat Africa
African development action with informed and engaged societies
Soul Beat Africa
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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WiRED International's Community Health Information Centre (CHIC) – Kenya </b></center>

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WiRED International's Community Health Information Centre (CHIC) project focuses on the creation of health centres, wired to provide information via information communication technology (ICTs). The project conducts research and has information programmes at 17 centres throughout Kenya. Its main medical information centre is based at the University of Nairobi School of Public Health.
Communication Strategies
CHIC was developed in cooperation with local community based organisations (CBOs) and it integrates health information programmes into the daily activities of each community. Each centre houses four or more networked computers and a medical CD-ROM collection.

Five trained staff members at each centre help visitors access information about HIV/AIDS and other health care topics. They also educate visitors about basic computer operations so the visitors can independently search for information on topics of interest.

The organisation has developed a number of programmes including:
  • Disabled programme - The programme delivers information about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infectiosn (STIs) to disabled people and to their caregivers. It sponsors discussion groups that examine the special needs of people with disabilities and examines ways to integrate them into existing health education programmes.
  • Pack 'N Go program - The Pack 'N Go program was developed to bring the AIDS treatment and HIV prevention information to people who cannot make the journey into the centre. Sturdy boxes designed to hold a computer have been built to fit into the boots of cars and onto the carrier rack of bicycles. Health educators then venture from the centres to deliver information to outlying communities.
  • CD-ROM development - The CHIC staff, in coordination with medical professionals, community groups and traditional healers, is developing a five-part series about HIV/AIDS titled ‘From the Kenya Perspective'. The series is tailored to meet the needs of residents throughout Kenya, the information will be delivered in English and Kiswahili.
  • Outreach programme - The centres sponsor outreach programs that send staff to hospitals, schools, and rehabilitation centres where they present information about HIV/AIDS. They also inform the institutions and their clients about the health care information services available at the centres.
Development Issues
HIV/AIDS, Technology
Key Points
The project aims to reach hundreds of thousands of Kenyans with information about HIV/AIDS and other health-related topics.
Partners

Addison Branding and Communication, Affinity Internet, Inc., AIDS Alliance, AllScripts HealthCare Solutions, AMA Press American Medical Association, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Epilepsy Society, American Federation of Teachers, Apple Computer, Keith Branson CVM, MS, DACVA-University of Minnesota, Chest Foundation, The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, Professor JAW Coetzer-Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, South Africa, CRC Press, DFES Publishing, EngenderHealth, E-TALC, Margaret Gwynne Ferris, MPH - Baylor International Pediatric AIDS initiative, The Firelight Foundation, Myra Glajchen, DSW - Institute for Education and Research in Pain and Palliative Care, Beth Israel Medical Center , Global Strategies for HIV Prevention, Global Technology Corps, U.S. Department of State, Linda Goldman, MS, LCPC., Grassroots Alliance for Community Education (GRACE), Dr. Steven D. Handler, M.D.-The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Jon Merrill, MD of HealthAnswers, Inc. , Hong Kong AIDS Foundation, Hopkins Technology, LLC, Icon Learning Systems Library of clinical guides and interactive software based on work of Frank H. Netter, MD., International Office of Migration (IOM), IWTC: International Women's Tribune Center, JHPIEGO (an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University), Johns Hopkins University Center for Communication Program, Lippincott, Wilkins and Williams Publishing company, Lexi-Comp, Inc., Marathon MultiMedia, March of Dimes, The Marian Wright Edelman Institute, Medical Communications Media, The Medtronic Foundation, US National Institutes of Health, National Lipid Education Council, NSA: National Stroke Association, Dr.'s Pickrell and Oehme, Kansas State University - College of Veterinary Medicine, The Polus Center, Dr. Donald C. Plumb-University of Minnesota Veterinary College, Reston/ Health Answers Inc. Roche Laboratories-Nairobi, Kenya. Pharmaceutical Company, SANE Australia, Dick Schoech, Ph.D.-University of Texas at Arlington-Department of Social Work, The Tatjana Grgich Family Foundation, UNESCO, University of Alberta, Canada, Professor Jaw Coetzer, Dept. Veterinary Tropical Diseases, University of Pretoria, University Research Company, LLC, University of Texas Medical Branch-School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Texas-Medical Branch-School of Nursing, University of Washington-School of Nursing, US Dept. of Health and Human Services, Wellcome Trust, World Health Organization, Wright Type Design

Sources

Wired International website on August 16 2004.