USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO IMPROVE INTER-FACILITY COMMUNICATION FOR BETTER SERVICE PROVISION EXPERIENCE OF MOROGORO REGION Authors: Kanyankole G, Mgunda F, Morogoro collaborateves.

Background In November 2014, USAID ASSIST Project and TUNAJALI conducted a 1 st Pediatric ART learning session to 13 high volume sites of Morogoro Region. During the learning session some facilities reported shortage of test kits, reagents and drugs as a major challenge for poor performance in pediatric ART.

Cont………. But at the same time some facilities have excess same supplies that are about to expire. However during the discussion it was learnt that Morogoro DC {CHMT’s} has created a WhatsApp group that they they use to communicate all health updates in their district. Basing on this experience 13 sites attended agreed to form a WhatsApp Network group to improve communication.

Methodology 13 facilities agreed to create a WhatsApp group that would be accessed through their smart phones. WhatsApp was suggested to be fast social Media and cheap of modality of communication as at least one or more healthcare provider sown smart phones. Administrator was selected, she created and added members to the group named “QIT’s Network Morogoro”

Cont….. Members started to update each other on success, challenges, shortage and availability of test kits, reagents and drugs etc. ASSIST provides TA clarifying raised issues and difficult areas and TUNAJALI, RHMT’s/CHMT’s respond by assisting to collect supplies from sites with excess and redistribute to sites with shortage.

Cont.. ASSIST and TUNAJALI staff assist to monitor the sharing of information to ensure the content shared is focused to improve quality of ART/PMTCT/Pediatric care. All members are allowed to respond to questions asked according their experiences.

Results Through this network; A total of 60 members have been added to the group since its establishment 2014 Members are exchanging information on data, shortage & availability of commodities The supplies have been officially redistributed within facilities

Cont…. A good number of supplies have been saved from expiring hence helped clients an money were saved. Most of providers questions have been answered promptly making it easy for them to continue improving their work not only on pediatric ART but also on PMTCT and ART areas.

Quotes from healthcare workers “This network helps to keep us updated and share different information related to our work, its very useful” “The network helped to serve our HIV test kits that almost expired was shared and used in time otherwise they could be thrown” “Through this network TUNAJALI have been solving some of the problems promptly”

challenges Difficult in accessing network for QI team members from remote areas Delay in response especially if the responsible person is not available for few days Failure to address some of the problems posted demoralizes the members.

Lesson learnt This type of social media is cheap and can be used as sharing forums for learning and support among QI team members.

Conversation among QIT members

Conversation……

QIT members sharing information

Thank you for listening