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After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Digital Pulse - Ch 3 - Sec 1 - Disability Information System - Zanempilo - South Africa

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Summary

The Digital Pulse: The Current and Future Applications of Information and Communication Technologies for Developmental Health Priorities


Chapter 3 - Programme Experiences: Sixty Case Studies Of ICT Usage In Developmental Health

Section 1 – Data Bases and Resource Centres



Disability Information System


Zanempilo - South Africa




Development Issues: Disability


Programme Summary

Initiated in 1996 by the South African NGO Zanempilo Trust, this programme has worked to develop a computerized Disability Information System. Zanempilo's overarching aim is to deliver holistic primary health care services to disadvantaged peri-urban and rural communities in the Western Cape through the employment of full-time Community Health Workers (CHW), Community Rehabilitation Workers (CRW) and HIV Lay Counsellors. All project staff are trained, salaried workers selected by their community or residence. In coordination with a range of service providers, efforts are made to improve resources and information access, and to influence policies that benefit the health of the communities served.


The programme endeavours to secure funding for the CRWs from the public sector and government. Present funding comes primarily from the European Union as well as the Provincial Administration of the Western Cape (PAWC). The organization operates within a sustainable financial infrastructure and strives for excellence and transparency in their management processes.


The Zanempilo health care programme strives to provide:

  • Improved community health care for the impoverished
  • Accessible basic curative services
  • A coordinated TB programme
  • A coordinated HIV/AIDS programme
  • Care and counselling for people with permanent physical disabilities
  • A response to Child and Women Abuse through education and other support structures

There philosophy is to deliver these services within a framework that encourages community participation in the preventive, promotional and rehabilitative aspects of health care. They also seek to develop partnerships with the academic and private sectors to develop innovative and effective health intervention approaches.


Summary of ICT Initiatives

The Disability Information System is a software programme designed to give the CRW's easy access to information, and facilitates the planning and management of rehabilitation activities. This programme allows each worker to record, analyse and report information about the project's clients and staff, making it an excellent tool to support fundraising activities - quantitative results data being one of the primary requirements of donors. Those who wish to run the software need a PC with MS access. The software has been specifically designed for the disability project, but can be adapted to other community-based projects.


The CRW's collect and record (on statistics sheets) detailed information about clients whom they see. The sheets are then collected monthly and input into the system. The information system has the following features:

  • A database of clients with information on addresses, disabilities, needs, assessments, and current Community Rehabilitation Workers (parents of children with disabilities);
  • Assessment forms from professionals on the clients showing their history and other relevant information;
  • Individual and group staff reports showing attendance, self-development, client activities and leave status. These are displayed in the form of graphs and pie charts.

Community Rehabilitation Workers service approximately 1,120 houses in their allotted areas, in which they are resident. They are expected to make six home visits a day, but with only 27 CRWs servicing nine areas, they are vastly understaffed and overtaxed. The CRWs are informed of the presence of disabled people or children in their areas either through community structures or local clinics. They offer support in numerous ways, providing counselling and therapeutic exercise, making people aware of the resources available, encouraging independence and giving advice on social assistance grants. CRWs also educate their communities, undertaking disability awareness campaigns via community radio broadcasts or participating in community workshops and drama presentations at schools within the designated areas.


Partners: European Union, Provincial Administration of the Western Cape (PAWC).


Source: Disability Information System on the Zanempilo site.


For More Information Contact:

Tara Appalraju-Van Niekerk

The Zanempilo Trust

PO Box 30745

Tokai, 7966 South Africa

Tel.: 021/713 0073

Fax: 021/713 0105

info@zanempilo.org.za