Back: Nkhoma Safe Motherhood Program - Overview

Introduction

Communication between health centres and the hospital has been established through short wave radio. There are several setbacks with short wave radio 1. handling the radio requires training, 2. no two way communication 3. maintenance or replacement requires a specialist. 4. availability of network.

This project explores the use of Voice-over-IP telephony and wireless networking to improve communication between health centres and Nkhoma Hospital.

Wireless networking offers many opportunities for application in developing countries. Contrary to developed countries, developing countries often don't have extensive wired voice and data networks. Cable networks are much more expensive than wireless networks to develop. In many developing countries the communication gap is crossed by directly developing wireless networks instead of wired networks. Examples of creative solutions that have been developed can be identified on the website www.wndw.net. Baobab Health Partnership has wirelessly connected ART sites in Lilongwe. College of Medicine in Blantyre has developed a wireless data connection with their community health research site at Mangochi.

Voice-over-IP (VOIP) is a technology that allows for telephone communication over computer networks. The most well known application is Skype, which allows for free voice communication over the internet.

Asterisk is an open source software package that turns a normal desktop PC into an advanced PBX with features holding and referring calls and voice mail. The software is freely downloadable and can be installed and managed through a simple graphical user interface. The Asterisk server can communicate with a traditional phone system, which allows integration of a VOIP network with a traditional public phone system. 

The combination of wireless networking, VOIP and Asterisk allows for realisation of locally owned telephone networks or dedicated point-to-point telephone connections at a low price and with limited technical expertise.

Baobab Health Partnership developed a wireless connection between Kamuzu Central Hospital and Nkhoma Hospital. The connection is used for data (email, internet) and voice communication.

Activities

Activity 4.1: To install a wireless access point and telephone at 5 health centres

Small (6m) steel towers will be produced by local welders at Nkhoma Hospital and installed at 5 health centres. A solar panel and battery will power the wireless client and VOIP phone. Installation, maintenance and administration of the wireless client will be done by Nkhoma Hospital staff. A one afternoon (3h) instruction will familiarize staff members at the health centres with the telephone system.

Back: Nkhoma Safe Motherhood Program - Overview