Table 1 Audited KZN rural PHC clinics access to technology resources
District | Internet provider | Email access | Connectivity status |
|---|---|---|---|
Amajuba | DOH | Personal | Internet facilities provided, but coverage is poor and internet is slow |
Umzinyathi | _ | _ | No internet access or access to email: clinic relies on the PHC manager at the hospital to deliver printed mail |
Umgungundlovu | NGO | Personal | No internet access, email accessed through personal devices |
Harry Gwala | DOH | Personal | Wifi provided, however coverage is poor and the internet is very slow, “I was not able to send an email to the clinic until I was able to reach the nearest town.” |
Umkhanyakude | _ | Personal | No internet facilities provided, the clinic manager uses her personal email on her phone |
Zululand | NGO | Personal | No department provided email, but NGO provided for access to emails |
KingCetshwayo | NGO | Personal | The router was stolen and not replaced. Email accessed through clinic manager’s personal phone |
Ilembe | NGO | Personal | Wifi provided and accessible |
Ugu | _ | _ | The clinic has no internet and no access to email. An attempt to send course access information via whatsapp, however participant could not participate |
Ethekwini | DOH | Personal | Wifi connection and smart phones provided, however data gets depleted quickly and top ups are not permissible |
Uthukela | _ | Personal | The clinic has no access to government provided internet services |