Debriche Health Development Centre (DHDC) has hailed the OneImpact Application (App), a digital platform, as one which will help curb the spread of tuberculosis (TB) in Nigeria.
The executive director of the DHDC, Mrs. Deborah Ikeh made this assertion on the sidelines of a dissemination/validation meeting, that the app was built to improve accessibility and availability and enhance the quality of TB care and support services in the country in Abuja.
Ikeh said that the app would also report, track and respond to issues related to the availability and accessibility of quality TB services in the country.
Ikeh stated that one untreated person with TB could spread it to five to 15 other close contacts within one year.
She said OneImpact Nigeria is a free digital platform made up of three tools working together to provide comprehensive community engagement, community empowerment and community-led monitoring solution for TB response in the country.
“The digital platform was first piloted in Alimosho LGA of Lagos State, in collaboration with Lagos State TB Programme of the Lagos Ministry of Health, TB People Nigeria and Dure Technologies through the support of Stop TB Partnership Geneva,” she said.
The DHDC boss said that the technology was developed in partnership with affected communities and had an integrated feedback loop mechanism.
She said the mechanism was made up of three tools working together to provide a comprehensive community empowerment, community engagement and community-led monitoring solution that put people at the heart of the TB response.
“OneImpact Community Led-Monitoring (CLM) is currently empowering people affected by TB with information, ways to engage and report TB challenges, as they relate to Barriers to TB health services, Human rights violations, TB stigma and Barriers to TB support services.
“It is also informing communities and TB programmes on gaps and challenges in the TB response from the grassroots, for them to rapidly respond and ensure the continuity of quality TB services for the people and communities affected by TB.”
In doing this, CLM also provided access to the location of health centres offering TB services and a forum for people affected by TB to connect, discuss, share their experiences and learn from each other and TB survivors.
“It also allows people on TB treatment to report challenges they face in accessing treatment or continuing treatment,” she explained.
