Internet Solutions (IS) is sponsoring the ADSL connectivity for three years for use by Cell-Life. Cell-Life provides HIV/AIDS treatment sites across the country with unique information and patient management and monitoring services.
Cell-Life was born out of an academic research project at the University of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology headed by Dr Ulrike Rivett.
"Essentially, Ulrike wanted to see what contribution, if any, could engineers make to the HIV threat in SA," says Samir Anand, of Cell-Life.
"Using open source software development skills on Unix and Linux platforms, the engineering team created a comprehensive database that monitors and manages patients with HIV/AIDS. It was the first time that these workers were connected via an extensive network to a centralised system. Health workers upload follow-up and treatment-related patient information and can share their progress through the system, as well as access their own patient records online to monitor and manage the treatment of the disease. Additionally, the Cell-Life Web site acts as a portal and provides links to many other sites for shared information. The benefits of shared information are enormous as they all learn from each other."
Cell-Life is unique in that it is a not for profit (Section 21) organisation, combining information and communications technology (ICT) to tackle the challenges of treatment in the public health sector. The first pilot of the technology was run at the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre at UCT servicing and supporting a treatment site in a local township, Gugulethu. Cell-Life`s systems are based on cellular and Internet technology to reach patients in rural and remote areas.
"The initial system was cellular-based and comparatively expensive to operate cost-effectively for the public health sector," says Anand. "A move to extend this to the Internet and Web-based systems has proved to give us great costs savings and this sponsorship by IS takes us even further towards growing and spreading the network. We are now combining data transfer over direct Internet connections as well as cellular-based ones such as GPRS, MMS and SMS. It`s a very positive step to see a large company like IS get involved like this. It`s always difficult to show private sector organisations the value of sponsorship "in kind". While we are always looking for more funds, sometimes there`s more value in getting a service like their Business ADSL package than cash alone," concludes Anand.
"We are proud to be involved with Cell-Life," says Kate Michalaro, marketing manager for IS. "The work they do in connecting the hundreds of HIV workers is invaluable and our sponsorship plays a small part in the fight against this disease."
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Cell-Life`s vision is to become the backbone of managing HIV/AIDS in Africa, by providing an affordable solution that offers support for communication, information and logistics. It is also designed to sustain, empower and uplift people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as other infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. By offering our skills and expertise, we furthermore pledge our commitment to combat this disease, which is threatening the livelihood of our continent and people. www.cell-life.org
Internet Solutions
Internet Solutions (IS) has transformed its business model and become a leading converged communications service provider in the country.
The business was founded on the principle of developing a robust infrastructure in order for corporates to conduct e-business. Over the past decade IS has established itself as a leader in this space, attracting over 80% of SA`s top businesses as clients.
During its 10-year life span, IS has evolved and grown its service offerings. Today, the company is the leading hosting service provider and security service provider in SA, as well as having significant market share in the virtual private network and application service provider space.
Internet Solutions, with an Empowerdex BBB rating, has earned an impressive collection of accolades, including eight First National Bank "Most Admired" awards, two Financial Mail Best Company to Work For awards, a place in the Top Unlisted Company Awards, first place in the ISP category for ComputerWeek Strategist`s Best of Breed IT Awards, 2004, and eighth in the Top ICT Companies, 2005.
The company partners with major players such as Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, BT and AT&T, and in 2002 was certified as a Cisco Managed Security Service Provider, the first and only company outside of the US to be awarded this accolade. For more, visit us on www.is.co.za
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