New health care app launched in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, June 11, 2022 (FBC) – An emergency communication program in five languages was produced by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), Ministry of Innovation and Technology, and the Mastercard Foundation.

Digital Platform 8335, established by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, provides information about public health emergencies such as COVID-19 and yellow fever. Monkeypox has also been introduced to the system of information so that the public can take measures in light of the recent outbreak. People who have been forced to flee their homes can access mental health and emotional support through the portal.

During its first month of operation, the national public health emergency contact line received more than 300,000 calls and 100,000 unique callers seeking information on public health issues. During public health emergencies, this digital network mixes voice and text information to reach a large audience. Monitoring and detection are provided by this facility.

Ethiopian Public Health Institute collaborates with the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to develop the platform for public health emergency information.

Information on COVID-19 and four other public health threats is available via the Public Health Emergency Contact Center. EPHI Director-General Mesay Hailu (PhD) said the information is given in different languages, making it accessible to a broader audience.

With the help of this digital technology, you can get health-related information and use an interactive voice response system to ask questions. It allows contact center personnel to answer questions in less time. Huria Ali, State Minister of Information Technology and Digital Economy at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, noted that because the system receives and distributes messages quickly, information is conveyed more efficiently and simply.