I just returned from a site visit to the Community Health Information Centers in Kenya. These facilities are continuing their remarkable work getting out the HIV/AIDS message and providing other medical information to local communities.

Mwanaisha Narotso wears many masks. She is not only sells fruit and grains at the local market but she is also a well-known traditional birth attendant and a herbalist. Like other herbalists, Mwanaisha deeply believes in her traditional cultural practices.

Eric, age 20, was unaware of his health problem until he visited WiRED International’s Community Health Information Center (CHIC) in Butula, Kenya. Intending to learn more about sexually transmitted diseases from WiRED’s medical e-library, Eric realized that he might be suffering from syphilis.

Following the success of the initial five Community Health Information Centers (CHICs) in Kenya, WiRED International created 11 additional Centers that will not only provide access to health information, but will also include community outreach programs for people who find it difficult to travel to the CHICs.

Rose Otaye has been living with HIV/AIDS for several years, and at this time she displays no symptoms of the illness and lives an active, productive life. One of Rose’s many activities is to council HIV positive people; her special focus is nutrition.

Popularly known as “the Computer place”, WiRED International’s Community Health Information Center (CHIC) in Butula is proving to be the best strategy for fighting AIDS. Confirming the popular notion that “information is power,” the story of 11-year-old Joseph is a testimony to WiRED’s work in this part of the world.

I’m delighted to be here today for the opening of this Health Information Centre at the College of Medical Sciences of the University of Nairobi. I want to congratulate the staff of the WiRED project, Professor Gary Selnow and Pauline Karani, for their hard work in setting up this center, and I especially want to thank Professor Makawati, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, for the support and guidance given to this project.

The Medtronic Foundation renewed support of WiRED International’s healthcare programs by awarding the San Francisco-based non-profit organization a grant of $40,000 to fund Phase-II of its priority healthcare programs in Iraq.

As part of IOM’s Medical Evacuation and Health Rehabilitation Program for Iraq (MEHRPI), which addresses treatment options for patients who currently cannot find appropriate care in Iraq, efforts are being made to equip local medical facilities with technology and resources to strengthen the health care system during this transitional phase of rehabilitation.

With so much grim news coming out of Iraq, it is heartening to hear about corporations and organizations that are striving to improve the quality of life for Iraqi citizens. Affinity Internet’s support of WiRED International is a partnership that will bring good things to the seriously ill and injured children in this war-torn country.