In Uganda, which faces one of the worst refugee crises in the world today, nonprofit Medical Teams International (MTI) provides care to 1 million patients a year. Its staff used to rely on paper records, but since its care providers generate about 10 million medical records each year, it was nearly impossible for the nonprofit to sort through mountains of paper to quickly find potentially lifesaving trends in the data.
“When I found out that it took six or seven weeks to get information about the services provided at the health-care clinics, I was really amazed,” said Patrick Taylor, who until his recent retirement directed IT for Medical Teams International.
Today, MTI uses a new app, built on Azure donated by Microsoft Philanthropies, to revolutionize the way it works. The app, designed by Cambia Health Solutions, has dramatically increased the speed and accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.
“When we create a system that allows a doctor to see more patients, more quickly, and provide better care, we’re honoring the dignity of the people who are coming and needing care,” Taylor said. Perhaps even more important, health-care workers can now identify and stop infectious diseases like malaria before they become outbreaks.
To learn more about how Microsoft Philanthropies helps nonprofits like MTI leverage technology, read general manager Justin Spelhaug’s post at Microsoft on the Issues.
Nonprofits can learn about the discounted and donated services that Microsoft Philanthropies offers nonprofits at Microsoft.com/nonprofits.
