Radio Surveillance on Lake T

The LTFHC crew!

Our team just spent several days on a DRC surveillance trip for our radio network expansion project.  Why are we doing this?

Due to the extreme remoteness of the basin health centers, harsh terrain and distances between locations, communication options are limited. The lack of reliable communications has rendered many lakeside Health Areas unable to radio for emergency medical assistance, seek basic health-related guidance, or submit monthly reports as required by the Ministries of Health.

In order to pilot a communications network, the Lake Tanganyika Floating Health Clinic (LTFHC) elected to make use of High Frequency (HF) Long Wave Radios, currently the only practical and affordable way to overcome the current communications gap. In March 2012, the LTFHC installed HF radios at eight health centers in Moba, DRC.

Our “home” while doing surveillance in remote communities along Lake Tanganyika

Building upon a successful pilot, the LTFHC will install HF radios, antennas and solar power systems at several other remote health clinics on the shores of Lake Tanganyika and also train local health care workers on how to operate the radios.  In addition to bridging the communications gap between health centers and across international borders, this expansion will provide a solution for obtaining epidemiologic data by using Tethr, a worldwide mobile network in a box.  Stay tuned for more updates!