Johannesburg, 29 Aug 2008
"The Imbizo was an opportunity to understand the Mpumalanga Provincial economic plan on ICT strategic initiatives, which the Province intends to embark on to close the digital divide, foster economic development and prioritise for the benefits of its citizens," said Harry Chakhala, CEO of Computek.
The Mpumalanga Technology Breakfast Imbizo 2008, co-ordinated and organised by the Local Government Business Network (LGBN), was held on Friday, 22 August at the Emnotweni Arena, in Nelspruit. ICT company, Computek, participated in the event as a Platinum sponsor. The event brought together a large number of key stakeholders from the Province and ICT sector.
"With key role players being involved in this forum, and showing such enthusiasm for the future of technology in the Province, it is possible for ICT companies to make a tremendous impact in the development of the Province," Chakhala said.
The CEO of MEGA, Ms Nosizwe Nokwe, identified a number of opportunities where ICT solutions can make great strides in the expansion of service delivery in the province. Adam Rabie, President of the Information Technology Association, emphasised the need for Government and municipalities to develop their ICT master system plans, engage private sector with concrete goals for support and invest in ICT skills development to ensure better delivery of IT projects in the province.
Chakhala concurred that the PPP policy adopted by the Province is a significant way forward as it will allow financing, promotion and fast-track development of ICT solutions needed in departments, municipalities and rural communities. On the part of Computek, it presented four core technology areas:
1. Custom development solution for Monitoring and Evaluation System (M&E) using SAS technology. Computek highlighted that it has already implemented M&E systems in Limpopo and that Mpumalanga Province can leverage the same technology and fast-track its implementation of the system at local, district and provincial levels.
2. Immediate availability of Provision of broadband satellite VSAT connectivity for rural and remote sites. "We have solved the issue of connectivity by implementing the VSAT wireless solution for public sector clients. The satellite technology provides a cost-effective connectivity where there is no or limited coverage using traditional terrestrial or non-terrestrial services. These satellite connection solutions can be expanded into schools, hospitals, clinics, Thusong Service Centres municipalities, which, due to their location, are cut off from current communication infrastructure."
3. Provision of mobile phone solutions for chronic disease management: Chakhala presented the company's new project initiative for the healthcare managed service, based on use of mobile phone technology for the management of citizen's health. The solution will initially cater for managing chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, COPD and later additional modules currently under development for managing HIV, TB, malaria and child malnutrition will be deployed in second phase by mid 2009.
"The mobile phone solution allows patients to take their own reading daily and submit data to the central database for feedback, or in conjunction with a medical practitioner, more advice," said Chakhala. "This mobile technology enables a diabetic patient, for example, to take readings and monitor his sugar levels every day, and to then transmit the data to a central clinical database. Feedback is then given to the patient based on the results of daily monitoring. The technology benefits include significant reduction of costs as minimum patient-doctor contact is required and makes healthcare service provisioning easier, accessible and efficient."
4. New approach to enterprise IT infrastructure management solutions for optimisation and minimum total cost of ownership (TCO) model.
"In addition, Computek highlighted that it has partnered with a prominent international ICT company to offer a tailor-made Municipality Performance and Project Management System, which will allow for optimal implementation of integrated development plans as well as for service delivery budget implementation plans," Chakhala said.
Computek has offices in most provinces in South Africa, and has committed to open an office in Mpumalanga before the end of this year. For more information, contact Johannes Makgobane, Executive Director, on 011 805 0229 or johannes@computek.co.za.
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