By Patricia Mashiri
The One Impact Zimbabwe mobile application that was introduced to help TB patients by providing more accurate information, monitoring and accountability has been commented for improving lives of the people.
Through community led monitoring interventions, TB patients have managed to receive quality care and support that is free from stigma and discrimination and able to provide feedback for quick solutions.
Speaking during a Media Cafe, Peter Dube, Jointed Hands Welfare Organisation Programs Manager said innovative ways are now needed in the journey of ending TB.
One such way of ending TB is saying let’s go to the people who are recipients of these services and ask them how they would want us to end TB. This One Impact Zimbabwe we have been talking about is an innovative way that’s meant towards contributing to ending TB by 2030,” said Dube.
He added that the app was innovative because one just put it on your pulse and get all information you want on TB. Information that has been by experts.
“We are saying it is this group of people who are suffering from this particular disease who are now coming to the front to say for me these are issues that are affecting me in accessing services which can be addressed so I can be cured. Or these are issues that are making me resist going to access services and if you remove these barriers I will be treated.”
He also said community led monitoring gives data, and figures to highlight where there are challenges and how to quickly address them. The goal is to remove barriers for everyone to access services.
Since its inception, the One Impact Zim Application has a total number of 4348 users who have engaged with the application and 2587 have registered.
Stembile Fuzane,Gweru Rural Maboleni clinic One Impact Community Monitor,said the biggest challenge in communities is spread of false information. However, the One Impact Zimbabwe App has been a game changer.
“People often spread false information about medication. If a single person reacts to TB to drug they then spread a word that TB meds don’t work. The coming in of the App has made life easier. You can go and verify information alone and get the correct information from experts and peers can also testify and share their life experiences.
I can also say that the application has improved my knowledge. I have confidence when I’m teaching people before transferring the app in their phones. People call me mai One Impact because or the knowledge they have gunned from me,she said.
Responding to the issue of how they have overcome the issue of data expenses in regard to the prevailing economic issues.
“I usually transfer the application to others using an application called Share it or I tether them using my own data because JHWO provides us with data bundles. Also the facilities we work from have Internet connection that’s where we go and sync our information,” Fuzane said.
There have been challenges that have been reported so far. These include quality of testing methods, poor drug side effects management and delay in test results.
The One Impact Community Led Monitoring ensures that there is TB response with quality care accessible and acceptable to everyone.
