Application of Smart Phone in "Better Border Healthcare Program"(BBHP)

Background:

Even though the structure of healthcare system is well organized and distributed throughout Thailand, the system still does not function efficiently in many areas, especially in remote communities.  The difficulties in those under-served areas include not only the poverty but also the limited availability and access to healthcare services.

The main objective of BBHP is to develop technology-based solutions that will increase the accessibility and affordability of healthcare services:

• to improve maternal health focusing on antenatal care (ANC),
• to reduce child mortality focusing on Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)
• to monitor disease incidence and treatment outcomes focusing on malaria in endemic areas.

BBHP consists of 2 models:

• Mother and Child Care Model (MCCM)
• Disease and Treatment Monitoring Model (DTMM)

Setting:

BBPH is implementing in Thai-Myanmar border areas.  Under the Thailand Ministry of Public Health structure, there are Health Center (HC), Malaria Clinic (MC) with primary healthcare personnel working with village health volunteers (VHV).

 Project Progress:

MCCM is an added-on function to the existing MOPH database.  The system generates listing of ANC/EPI visit due dates.  This system allows HC personnel in cross-checking and identifying ANC/EPI status either at HC or household location when performing home visit. This mobile technology-based system makes it more efficient in monitoring ANC/EPI coverage.      DTMM allows remote data transfer technology in both textual and geographic format. The system generates SMS automatically reporting summary of malaria cases to MC/VHV personnel involved.  List of patients on PDA allows MC to examine cases in details.  It is capable of recording clinical failure symptoms, and synchronizing to the data center with GPRS network. Both modules are in progress; system modification is planned. More data collection is needed to conclude the effectiveness of the system. The final results are anticipated in late 2009.