HEALTH Connect Jamaica has introduced a mobile app to provide easier access to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) health-care services, assisting individuals in knowing their HIV status and supporting those living with the virus.

The mobile app, called Health Connect Jamaica Virtual, was launched on Tuesday at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona campus. It’s an initiative by Health Connect Jamaica, which is a special project of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at UWI to improve access to health-care services. Established in 2019, Health Connect Jamaica has received funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and gained recognition for building strong public-private health sector partnerships.

Founder of Health Connect Jamaica Dr Geoffrey Barrow said the app will play an integral role in empowering more individuals to prioritise their health, specifically their HIV status.

“It [Health Connect Jamaica Virtual] is an online ecosystem comprised of a mobile application, a website, and an integrated preventative management system. Its functionalities include anonymous distribution of health commodities, secure communication both among health professionals and between professionals and their clients, and the dissemination of support, information and education through the website,” Dr Barrow said.

He explained that the application will fulfil two main objectives; to increase access to HIV testing and to expand HIV prevention.

Explaining some of the functionalities of the app, Barrow explained that it will allow people who want to get tested for HIV to purchase self-test kits anonymously as they would receive it through delivery or through pick-up at any of the six pharmacies they have partnered with in Jamaica.

He explained that delivery services are only available to people living in Kingston, Portmore and Montego Bay, but assured that other locations will be added.

Dr Barrow added that the app also caters to “those who know their status is negative but remain at risk, by providing telehealth and prevention services”, and catering to patients in need of HIV treatment by allowing clients to communicate with a specialist whether through message, video, or audio call.

When asked about any considerations for people who are blind or visually impaired, Dr Barrow explained that the device is still a work in progress.

“This is the first phase of the project; we absolutely want to integrate a system that allows the text to be read and allows more clearer direction on how to navigate through the application even for those who are not so tech-savvy and I will say that we are on the verge of integrating artificial intelligence into the application, especially around the communication and the booking of consultations,” he said.

Acting deputy principal at UWI Professor Marvin Reid, meanwhile, described the app as a transformative tool for the health sector in Jamaica, and acknowledged the importance of collaborative efforts in the health sector which, he said, is crucial to the improvement of health care services.

However, he urged for more work to be done to replicate this model towards limiting other chronic diseases in Jamaica.

“The app actually represents a model that we can use for other chronic diseases, not just HIV. We want people with chronic diseases to be able to have access to professionals in a confidential manner and we want them to be able to monitor themselves because any interaction with a health-care professional is a very small amount of time compared to your life span and therefore the key goal for chronic disease management is self-empowerment,” Reid said.

Dean at the Faculty of Medical Sciences Professor Minerva Thame said the app would transform the direction of health care services in Jamaica, and described it as a “life-changing service for many”.

“The Health Connect Jamaica Virtual app will transform the delivery of health care to ensure that it is all-inclusive, accessible and available. The mobile app has been designed to reach all ages, particularly our young people who are vulnerable. This is done by leveraging the digital landscape to empower them to take their health into their own hands and to improve the health outcome,” she said.