Though preventable and treatable malaria is still deadly for many children. In 2015, approximately 302,220 children under-five died from malaria; that’s 69% of the worldwide malaria mortality burden (
WHO, 2015). Even these figures are estimates, as accuracy is challenged by fluctuating population denominators.
Akros and Ona have worked together to address this challenge as it relates to Indoor Residual Spraying. Together, they developed mSpray, a tablet based, GPS-enabled application, that reinvents data collection using mobile technology to collect and report data dynamically. By equipping spray operators with this tool, they can interact with the map, and mark nearby structures as sprayed or not sprayed after each visit. They even improve denominators by adding new structures as they find them. Through mSpray, spray coverage indicator is a better measure of spray effectiveness, as it constantly adjusts the structure denominator, based on up-to-date, on-the-ground information regarding which structures can be sprayed. This technology has proved effective in the IRS realm, by markedly improving spray coverage and thus protecting more children.
mSpray is a field support and management tool for household-level interventions, used during on-site operations as well as desk review of daily progress. These two aspects have improved data collection practices and intervention planning, by leveraging real-time data to actively monitor efficiency and find gaps in coverage. mSpray can then be considered both a workflow tool and a planning tool. That dual purpose has application beyond IRS, and even beyond malaria control.
We will be exploring how the same concept can be used acrosss Health, Education and Agriculture.
Ona is a social enteprise based out of Nairobi, Kenya and New York, USA. Our tools are used globally to improve child and maternal health, governance, agriculture, access to infrastructure, and government accountability. Our team has played a pioneering role in the use of technology for social impact. We have built and implemented solutions in the development and governance space for the past 10 years, including projects in Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Pakistan, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Syria, Uganda, and Vietnam.
We believe technology, especially mobile, is creating new opportunities to capture data. This allows governments and aid organizations to become increasingly data driven and accountable. The best tools result from real-world use and rapid iteration, enabled by user-centered design, agile development practices, and innovative partners.
We work with humanitarian, government, and UN organizations all over the world to address some of the world’s great challenges. Examples of our client work include: Developed and implemented the vote tallying software used in the 2014 Libyan Elections, Provided the data systems and on-the-ground support for the WHO-led effort to improve infection prevention strategies during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, With partner Akros, developed the mSpray system, which was used for a national level malaria spraying program in Zambia.
