BackpackEMR is preparing for a rollout to track COVID-19 cases in Kenya. We need your help to fund the equipment we currently have in-country (20 iPads), along with sending 15 more! 

While we struggle to keep up with the COVID response in hospitals here in the US, the same is happening in countries like Kenya. Issues are amplified by a lack of resources, facilities, and healthcare workers. Additionally many vulnerable populations living in informal settlements (slum areas) do not have the luxury of social distancing and sheltering in place. We need to help them stop the spread now!

How is BackpackEMR helping with COVID-19 Response in Kenya?

BackpackEMR will be providing a data collection tool for Kenya that will allow all COVID-19 cases and results to be tracked in one system, and reported back to government officials. This data helps to make critical decisions like where to send more COVID test kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), and ventilators, along with tracking the hardest hit areas to send additional support.

We have partnered with Nairobi-based Medical Records Institute (MRI) to distribute devices and train at Nairobi quarantine and isolation locations, along with sites in the outlying regions.

Why use BackpackEMR for COVID tracking?

We have always been focused on underserved communities in low-middle income countries. And, our simplified patient data tracking tool makes us uniquely positioned to mobilize quickly, train in 1 hour, and start capturing data immediately.

Since many symptoms of COVID are similar to common cold, our primary care data model fits the data collection needs perfectly.

Our team has been working around the clock since the virus hit to tweak our processes and build reporting to fit the COVID model, and we’re ready to GO! 

How can you help?

We need to fund the equipment we currently have in-country (20 iPads), along with sending 15 more! Additionally, our Nairobi team member, Mary Murugami, will be traveling to all locations to train the healthcare workers and distribute the iPads for tracking – and we want to fund her amazing efforts! And lastly, we may need extra management and oversight to help with all the locations, and the Medical Records Institute has data clerks who can help.

Here is the situation in Mary’s words: