Access to health information has been a major concern for many developing countries and the international organisations that work in them, usually because they are the main cause of deaths with regards to pregnancy, maternal mortality, and even HIV/AIDS. Bisa App was launched by Oasis Websoft to help patients have access to information; the app basically helps patients to connect with doctors.
Just about a month after being listed on the Internet.org Free Basics Platform, Oasis Websoft, the company behind the Bisa app, has made quite another huge agreement. The team has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between them and the International Labour Organization to utilize a web application, Bisa, to reach young people with health-related information, including information on HIV and AIDS.
Under the MOU, the Bisa application will be used to target young persons and provide the necessary health information at the click of a button, including options for accessing HIV counselling and testing services, treatment for STDs and HIV- related illnesses.
We are aware of the stigma and discrimination those who are living with HIV or suffering from sexually-transmitted diseases (STDs) suffer from. In some cases, they avoid contacting health care providers, choosing instead to self-medicate, or to go without care altogether. This is one major problem the application helps to overcome — confidentiality concerns of users.
The ILO reports that comprehensive knowledge of HIV among young persons in Ghana is declining as well as condom use among young persons with two or more partners. In addition, young people have little access to HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support services. Compared with adults, HIV testing is low among young persons.
The ILO’s support will comply with the principles of the ILO Recommendation on HIV and AIDS (No. 200).
“Mobile technology has transformed communication among young people across Africa. Its application to healthcare can be a game changer in the HIV and health response, particularly among the youth. The ILO’s partnership with Oasis Websoft offers a huge potential and a unique opportunity to increase access to timely and relevant health and HIV information through a channel young people use daily”- Dennis Zulu, Director – ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“Bisa was birthed out of the desire to help tackle existing healthcare challenges especially in Ghana, by employing mobile technology, which is exceptionally popular and, in our opinion, the most effective means to communication in modern times. We at Oasis Websoft are happy to collaborate with the ILO in meeting our shared goals in the area of healthcare, providing HIV related information to the youth, ensuring that the standards of confidentiality and non-discrimination are respected”- Raindolf Owusu, Founder and CEO of Oasis Websoft.
As part of the collaboration ILO and Oasis Websoft will also work together to mobilize resources to expand the content of the Bisa application and scale it up to other areas in West Africa.
