Today's unique IT integration that tackles poverty and health comes from the Government of Malaysia with its unique e-kasih system. e-kasih is the country's national database of families that have been identified as poverty stricken. The database has been used by charities to specifically target neighborhoods and groups that require assistance more than other regions.
From an IT integration standpoint, the e-kasih system is a very interesting project for a multitude of reasons
1) Accessibility: Its database is accessible by most NGOs and charities making it easy for anyone to provide additional information as needed. This is interesting because the system has clearly recognized that its value comes from its ability to confer information to external groups rather than just keep it as a Government system only.
2) Reliability: As a Government database, it relies on census information which is often conduct after a period of years. While neighborhood data might still have strong validity, I wonder about the household data themselves. Given the general economic times of the world, if the last census was undertaken in 2008, one may have missed the effect of the entire recession. There have already been issues and accusations on the reliability of the data and the ability to manipulate this information for a political agenda.
Final comments: I believe programs such as e-kasih are integral to understanding the larger issues surrounding poverty, development, and healthcare infrastructure. They key take-away from the e-kasih system is its recognition that its value is only as strong as its ability to provide information to a host of users ranging from local grassroots operations to international relief services.
http://www.futuregov.in/tv/e-government/using-technology-alleviate-poverty/
From an IT integration standpoint, the e-kasih system is a very interesting project for a multitude of reasons
1) Accessibility: Its database is accessible by most NGOs and charities making it easy for anyone to provide additional information as needed. This is interesting because the system has clearly recognized that its value comes from its ability to confer information to external groups rather than just keep it as a Government system only.
2) Reliability: As a Government database, it relies on census information which is often conduct after a period of years. While neighborhood data might still have strong validity, I wonder about the household data themselves. Given the general economic times of the world, if the last census was undertaken in 2008, one may have missed the effect of the entire recession. There have already been issues and accusations on the reliability of the data and the ability to manipulate this information for a political agenda.
Final comments: I believe programs such as e-kasih are integral to understanding the larger issues surrounding poverty, development, and healthcare infrastructure. They key take-away from the e-kasih system is its recognition that its value is only as strong as its ability to provide information to a host of users ranging from local grassroots operations to international relief services.
http://www.futuregov.in/tv/e-government/using-technology-alleviate-poverty/
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