An app to monitor HIV services in Bangkok
Technology is enabling a group at risk of stigma and discrimination in Thailand to voice their concerns and make an impact. iMonitor+ is a new application for a smart phone, tablet or computer. People living with HIV or seeking services can monitor and evaluate public HIV services at health centres in Thailand. Using iMonitor+ they can file complaints and even talk with service providers in real-time.
Technology as a participatory tool
The United Nations global survey for a better world, My World, sparked our interest in technology as a participatory tool for consulting marginalized groups. More than 70,000 Thais voiced their views about the post-2015 development agenda. Thai voters’ top priorities were “a good education”, “an honest and responsive government” and “better healthcare”. As part of the survey, consultations with marginalized populations across all provinces highlighted the need for more inclusive policy-making and people’s participation.
Adapting an app to meet a need in Thailand
The United Nations in Thailand analyzed the challenges raised by the survey and determined to seek innovative solutions by harnessing technology. Our aim: to bring policymakers, communities and individuals closer than ever for stronger accountability. Next came the adaptation of a generic prototype to fit a specific need. UNAIDS adapted a new mobile application for smart phones, iMonitor+, to support HIV prevention and response in Thailand. The initial focus became a community at high risk: men who have sex with men (MSM).
iMonitor+ addresses immediate epidemic concerns
- HIV prevalence among MSM is highest in Bangkok (31.3 percent in 2010, up from 19.2 percent in 2005);
- 43,040 new HIV infections will occur between 2012 and 2016 in Thailand; 62 percent of them will be among MSM, female sex workers and their clients, and people who inject drugs;
- Mobile phones are a great outreach tool for this group. The number of mobile phones in use in Thailand is impressive, with a 125 percent mobile penetration rate;
- Research shows that nearly 40 percent of MSM use online sources for information.
What does the app do?
The app allows users to monitor and evaluate access to public health services, and to dialogue with service providers in real-time. Users are able to raise ‘alerts’ on quality of access to services and to report cases of stigma and discrimination. Data collected will support evidence-based advocacy to encourage policymakers to improve health programmes. It is a new tool for accountability.
Why is it working so well in Bangkok? Partnership.
This app is part of a city-level monitoring and evaluation strategy (M&E). It contributes to a multi-sectoral partnership built between governments, community-based civil society organizations, and the United Nations to leverage on advances in mobile technology to empower communities’ voices. The development of iMonitor+ for MSM created some new partnerships, too. This was the first time the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration partnered with Swing Foundation, a community-based organization committed to improve the quality of life for sex workers.
UNAIDS led the initiative with technical support from the Joint Team on HIV/AIDS and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. Together they took a step-by-step approach to first build the capacity of government and civil society counterparts to embrace new technology before scaling up to the wider population.
Lessons learned
We launched the iMonitor+ initiative in late 2014. What have we learned?
- Adapt generic applications to fit the development needs of the country;
- Provide adequate training on its usage;
- Make the cost affordable;
- Ensure the technology is simple and can be used by those people who do not have access to latest technology;
- Prioritize joint planning through quality assurance forums that engage all relevant stakeholders and ensure national ownership and sustainability.
What’s next? Expand to new users & communities
We will continue to advocate for new Thai efforts to expand the use of iMonitor+ to new users and communities beyond the first initiative with MSM in Bangkok. Phayao, a northern province of Thailand, is already using iMonitor+, and ASEAN cities are considering its use for Getting to Zero, the UNAIDS strategy.
