WCPT signs up with health information campaign
- 26 September 2015 - 02:23 PM
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WCPT has signed up as a supporting organisation of the campaign Healthcare Information for All, better known as HIFA.
HIFA is a network of more than 15,000 people committed to improving the availability and use of health information in low and middle income countries. It collaborates with the World Health Organization and is supported by more than 260 health and development organisations worldwide.
“Tens of thousands of people die every day, often for the simple reason that the parent, carer or health worker lacks the information and knowledge they need to save them,” says Neil Pakenham-Walsh, who co-founded HIFA in 2006.
“Basic healthcare knowledge isn’t being implemented. But in the past few years, for the first time, it’s become technologically possible to bring together large numbers of people from different countries all over the world, so that they can explore how to change things, and make the available information better used.”
HIFA is a global campaign and knowledge network. Its members around the world interact and communicate with the aim of bringing about the organisation’s goal: that every person worldwide will have access to the information they need to protect their own health and the health of others. The campaign itself does not provide healthcare information, but enables providers and users of healthcare to find ways to make information more widely available and used.
“WCPT is delighted to sign up as a HIFA supporting organisation,” said Tracy Bury, WCPT’s Director of Professional Policy. “We really encourage all physical therapists to get involved with the HIFA network – not just those in low and middle income countries. While it is their needs – and those of the patients, clients and carers that they work with – that the initiative aims to support, we can all collectively contribute to the solutions.”
WCPT is joining other supporting organisations such as the British Medical Association, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the Mother and Child Health and Education Trust and the WHO Collaborating Centre for Knowledge Translation and Health.
Neil Pakenham-Walsh said: “We look forward to working with WCPT to raise awareness of the information and learning needs of physical therapists in low and middle income countries.”
Anyone can join HIFA through its website. Members interact through five global email forums:
CHIFA (child health and rights)
HIFA is also developing HIFA Voices, an experiential database on information needs and how to meet them.
In addition to its five global email discussion forums, HIFA uses social media to extend its reach, raise wider awareness of health information issues, and encourage more people to join HIFA
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