Readers pledge aid to Africa

The telemedicine project helps rural healthcare

Computing’s 2009 charity appeal has got off to a flying start, with two donors signing up to sponsor telemedicine centres in rural Africa.

Software supplier Mass has pledged £1,000 to put its name to one of the health centres that will be kitted out with IT equipment by our charity partner, Computer Aid International.

And one generous individual has offered to personally sponsor a telemedicine centre -­ although he has modestly requested anonymity.

Computing has been supporting Computer Aid International to kit out remote rural health centres with a laptop, digital camera and scanner, so that doctors can communicate with city hospitals to aid diagnosis and treatment.

Our first sponsor, Mass, specialises in the development of facilities management software. Chairman David Bolt said the telemedicine project is a great demonstration of the value IT can have for disadvantaged people.

It costs just £1,000 to provide the equipment, training and technical support that a hospital needs to kit out a telemedicine centre.

If you want to get involved, contact Stephen Campbell at Computer Aid on 020 8361 5540 or email stephen@computeraid.org. Or you can donate at: www.justgiving.com/computingtelemedicine.