A Multi-lingual Knowledge-sharing Platform
In its efforts to strengthen healthcare systems and improve responses to the HIV, TB and drug use epidemics in resource-poor settings, Health Connections International combines traditional methods such as capacity building through training seminars and workshops with the innovative use of ICT to connect HIV, TB and drug treatment specialists across the globe to one another through a multi-lingual web-based platform.
The 'Health Connections Project'
As such, HCI’s activities are focused on the ‘Health Connections Project’. This project centres around the development of an innovative model of intervention and support to increase the long-term sustainability of local initiatives, as well as to scale up existing national-level mechanisms. The development and implementation of the ‘Health Connections Project’ is carried out in close co-operation with our partners–the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC), the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) and the Red Crescent Societies of the Republics Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
First, a user-friendly, advanced web-based multi-lingual peer-to-peer communications tool and translations interface will be operational, which serves HIV, TB and harm reduction professionals. Because multi-lingual support is imbedded within it, this web-based platform will facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge and expertise between non-English speaking practitioners and their English-speaking colleagues from across the globe on a variety of issues and topics.
Secondly, two Country Liaisons and 24 Focal Points are currently being set up in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to bring the service as close as possible to those healthcare professionals who may not necessarily have access to the Internet, and, thus, facilitate regional communication and knowledge exchange, as well to strengthen the healthcare systems in each country.
Thirdly, on-going training seminars and workshops, together with online information exchanges and local support, enabling users to:
- Find like-minded peers and/or organisations, locally and internationally;
- Ask for and receive information from English-speaking colleagues across the globe;
- Access information and background materials on specific topics related to HIV, TB and drug treatment issues; and,
- Receive national-level tele-medicine and direct support through the locally established Focal Points and long-term capacity building tools.
HCI’s activities are designed to further facilitate the achievement of national initiatives which currently lack a unified knowledge- and information-sharing platform so vitally needed to reach their specified targets. These include assisting the 3 by 5 Initiative of WHO and UNAIDS, the Knowledge Hub Programme, and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria.
By working through an international network of professionals, as well as strengthening local agencies’ ability to network and partner with like-minded organisations, national-level influence and the co-ordination of efforts to combat HIV, TB and drug use issues are further advanced.
Strategic partners
Health Connections International is pleased to partner with like-minded organisations with whom we share a common goal–to ensure that those most in need receive the treatment, care and support they need.
As such, HCI has formed strategic partnerships with the following organisations:
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IAPAC |
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GNP+ |
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Red Crescent Societies |
