Kenya National Library Service PUBLIC LIBRARY INNOVATION PROGRAMME Ehealth PLIP PROJECT PRESENTATION PUBLIC LIBRARY INNOVATION PROGRAMME Ehealth PLIP PROJECT PRESENTATION

Training and setting up functional electronic health information sections in two Kenya National Library Service branch libraries

Objectives Promote widespread access to health information, knowledge and communication to the rural communities through use of sustainable technology platform; To work with healthcare providers to position the library as a key health literacy provider in the community; To engage library professionals by giving them valuable information resources that they can disseminate and use with consumers who come to the library for health information. To develop the skills of librarians and social health workers to enable them identify and meet health information needs of the communities through libraries; Promote widespread access to health information, knowledge and communication to the rural communities through use of sustainable technology platform; To work with healthcare providers to position the library as a key health literacy provider in the community; To engage library professionals by giving them valuable information resources that they can disseminate and use with consumers who come to the library for health information. To develop the skills of librarians and social health workers to enable them identify and meet health information needs of the communities through libraries;

Objectives cont…. To identify and address the information needs of health workers and chat ways in which librarians and health workers can work together to harness and disseminate community health programmes, Promote ICTs uses for learning, training, research and educational endeavours in the health care sector; Build synergy by fostering partnerships with local and international stakeholders; To share common challenges, information

Project Rationale One of the challenges faced by Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) librarians is an insatiable user demand for health information It is on the basis of this need that KNLS applied for the EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme (PLIP) grant in order to mitigate the health information challenges. The project focussed on two KNLS branch libraries

Components of the ehealth project Each of the two PLIP project libraries were given the following items: Five computers with all the essential software High speed and reliable internet connectivity Furniture: 3 double sided shelves, 5 chairs and 2 workstations/computer tables Health resources: 169 books, 10 cds, Ehealth training for 6 branch librarians and 8 health workers from the two regions

The ehealth five days training Five days training on access and use of electronic health information using ICTs platform was conducted in Kisumu City The workshop promoted active learning by doing, which was much appreciated by the participants. Different participatory approaches such as work group, buzz groups, individual thinking, field visits, demostration, presentations, panel discussions, practical searching of online databases and sharing of experience in using ICTs for helth work were used. Five days training on access and use of electronic health information using ICTs platform was conducted in Kisumu City The workshop promoted active learning by doing, which was much appreciated by the participants. Different participatory approaches such as work group, buzz groups, individual thinking, field visits, demostration, presentations, panel discussions, practical searching of online databases and sharing of experience in using ICTs for helth work were used.

The topics covered during the training were: Identification and prioritization of community and health workers information needs An introduction to electronic information Identification of useful and reliable online health information resources Practical searching and use of online helath information resources Using ICTs infrastructure to access and use ehealht information The topics covered during the training were: Identification and prioritization of community and health workers information needs An introduction to electronic information Identification of useful and reliable online health information resources Practical searching and use of online helath information resources Using ICTs infrastructure to access and use ehealht information

Cont…. Repackaging helath information for health workers and communities Positioning the library as a key health literacy provider for the community Marketing health information services Participatory monitoring and evaluation of health information services Action planning for individual libraries Repackaging helath information for health workers and communities Positioning the library as a key health literacy provider for the community Marketing health information services Participatory monitoring and evaluation of health information services Action planning for individual libraries

Key learning lessons Initially the librarians and health workers were unsure whether they find any common ground. As the workshop progressed, they appreciated why they were together Health workers were impressed by the work they librarians do to the community The health workers learnt how to access and use electronic resources available in online sites Initially the librarians and health workers were unsure whether they find any common ground. As the workshop progressed, they appreciated why they were together Health workers were impressed by the work they librarians do to the community The health workers learnt how to access and use electronic resources available in online sites

Cont…. It become evident that libraries need to promote their services widely and regularly and partner with the local health care providers in their localities Libraries should be safe space for health workers by providing adequate space and attractive furniture Online resources should be fully exploited to promote the knowledge base of the health workers It become evident that libraries need to promote their services widely and regularly and partner with the local health care providers in their localities Libraries should be safe space for health workers by providing adequate space and attractive furniture Online resources should be fully exploited to promote the knowledge base of the health workers

Cont…. Unlike the librarians, almost all the health workers were found to be lacking basic computer skills especially in the areas of search and retrieval It was shared that the training will impact positively on both the librarians and health workers by challenging them to improve their skills and knowledge base as this would in the long run impact on their service delivery to the grassroots communities. Unlike the librarians, almost all the health workers were found to be lacking basic computer skills especially in the areas of search and retrieval It was shared that the training will impact positively on both the librarians and health workers by challenging them to improve their skills and knowledge base as this would in the long run impact on their service delivery to the grassroots communities.

Operationalization of the ehealth corners All the components of the project including computers, internet, online resources, furniture, books and CDs have been taken to the project libraries and are now being used by the health workers as well as members of the public

Statistics

November – 16 health workers used the ehealth section October – 41 health workers used the eresources There were no books borrowed so far since it took time to process and deliver the books In november – 12 users borrowed CDs Three public related to section were carried out on Hiv/Aids, TB and Hygiene and Sanitation by trained health workers in Eldoret November – 16 health workers used the ehealth section October – 41 health workers used the eresources There were no books borrowed so far since it took time to process and deliver the books In november – 12 users borrowed CDs Three public related to section were carried out on Hiv/Aids, TB and Hygiene and Sanitation by trained health workers in Eldoret

Future prospect of the project According to Eldoret and Kisumu librarian, it is matter of time before the section is known by the health workers for use and soon space and resources of the section will not be adequate given the appreciation they are getting from the health workers Many local NGOs and Government departmetns are enthusiastic about the new and innovative sections and would like to identify themselve with the project. According to Eldoret and Kisumu librarian, it is matter of time before the section is known by the health workers for use and soon space and resources of the section will not be adequate given the appreciation they are getting from the health workers Many local NGOs and Government departmetns are enthusiastic about the new and innovative sections and would like to identify themselve with the project.

Stories During and after the training, we engaged the health workers in and around the two project libraries. This is what the health workers had to say: “The ehealth section has connected the health workers to the rest of the world” by Agak, a health worker in Kisumu District Hospital. During and after the training, we engaged the health workers in and around the two project libraries. This is what the health workers had to say: “The ehealth section has connected the health workers to the rest of the world” by Agak, a health worker in Kisumu District Hospital.

“we can now share and disseminate monthly health management reports, diseases surveilance data, reports related to Hiv/aids, tubaclosis, malaria and data for monitoring drug usage and stocks” by Mr. Arang, a public health worker in Eldoret.

Alaka, a nurse trained on ehealth

“It is a gift for the health workers at Eldoret, the ehealth centre has given us an opportunity to access very current knowledge in form of books, electronic journals, reports and research findings. We can now get the same information that a doctor in American can get at the same time. I would say we are privileged to have this ehealth section near our hospital” Alaka, a nurse with the Ministry of health, Eldoret District Hospital.

Dr. Wainaina, MOH, Eldoret

Officer in charge of Eldoret hospital during evaluation interview

Patients visiting Eldoret Hospital

Eldoret library heavily used by the community

A trained health worker using the ehealth resource at Eldoret

Kisumu staff going through a session

Ehealth resource site created on KNLS website

Ehealth books

Eldoret library

Some users attending public lecture on TB at Eldoret library

Eldoret urban dwellers served by the library