A small company with a big vision for e-learning in Africa

Axia Interactive Media is supporting an initiative to bring e-learning to 3000 health workers in Kwa Zulu Natal (KZN), South Africa. KZN is one of the poorest and worst affected regions of sub-Saharan Africa with HIV and AIDs and local nurses often work in isolation, with very few resources, trying to support and improve the health education levels of local people. Yet the region also boats one of the best IT infrastructures in South Africa, making e-learning a viable health communication project. So, working in partnership with SISA, a local consulting company, Axia has offered the local Department of Health our e-learning platform on an at cost basis, to allow them to provide their health workers with the latest treatment information on a range of health topics including HIV/AIDs and other sexually transmitted infections. By doing this we are also giving the local government the chance to trial the effectiveness of Internet based training methods.

As well as providing an educational resource, we hope our system will create a sense of community for nurses in this region and play a part in reducing the considerable stress and isolation suffered by nursing staff who often work autonomously and with little peer support in remote, rural areas. Indeed, retention of health workers is considered a major problem within the Department of Health, and the creation of a virtual community could help to reduce this.

Since the initiative launched last year, we have made some significant developments, but there is still a long way to go to achieve our aims. If you would like to get involved please email Chris Peat at: c.peat@axiainteractive.net