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Makerere University Hospital and the College of Health Services medics have developed an Android-based mobile application aimed at promoting reproductive health awareness and access to treatment.

With the app in place, Makerere University students, staff and the general public will have easy and free access to Reproductive Tract Infection (RTI) health services. The App enables users to learn more about reproductive tract infections, chat with the health care providers, book an appointment with a doctor as well as access other health services.

RTIs are infections of the genital organs and include Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), endogenous infections and Iatrogenic infections. Endogenous infections such as vaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis are not sexually transmitted and can occur among people who have never had a sexual relationship.

On the other hand, iatrogenic infections are caused by organisms introduced into the genital tract while doing improper medical procedures for instance unsafe abortions.

During the launch, Prof Josaphat Byamugisha, the Director of Makerere University Hospital, revealed that the Mak RTI App was developed to address the information gap on RTIs among the community.

“Some Ugandans (15-49 years), do not have access to the right information about RTIs while others fear to talk about these types of infections because they affect reproductive organs or private body parts, with the app, such people will interact with the doctors at their convenience,” Prof Byamugisha, said.

Some of the symptoms of RTIs include itching in the private body parts and/or experiencing pain when urinating, severe pain during one’s menstrual cycle, if this one is left untreated, they advance into health complications such as blocking the fallopian tubes, affecting the ovary and womb, infertility among women, failure of the urinary system and in some cases cancer.

“We are calling upon the public to seek medical care and treatment as soon as any symptom related to RTIs is detected,” Byamugisha said.

While launching the app on Friday, The Principal of the College of Health Services, Prof Damalie Nakanjako, who represented the deputy vice chancellor for academic affairs, Prof Umar Kakumba, at the launch, commended the team for developing the innovation.

“Our vision as the College of Health Services is to provide transformative education and research to meet societal needs, I am pleased to note that most disciplines such as health, social sciences, gender, communication and the media have participated in the processes leading to this research output. Matters of health should not be left to the doctors alone. Health should be a matter of concern for all of us. We can never have perfect health if we do not collaborate and bring different teams together,” Dr Nakanjako said.

Dr Nakanjako said that since research is mainly to solve problems in the community, therefore, the Mak RTI App and Information Centre is an example of research that supports the community.

In his remarks, Dr. Richard Mugahi, the Assistant Commissioner Reproductive and Infant Health at the Ministry of Health, said that since young people are more digitally oriented, this is what is expected.

“Since the Ministry of Health has a hotline, we are going to also link the app with the University Hospital RTI App,” Dr Mugahi said.

To supplement the RTI App, Mak hospital has established an RTI clinic which will be open every Monday to provide services to those in need.

Speaking to New Vision, Dr Hassan Mulema, the Head of Clinical Services at Makerere University Hospital, said that they usually receive students with problems such as itching of their genitals or to complaining about pain they experience while urinating.

Dr. Mulema informed students that the App is secure and as such, users should not be worried about any information leakages.

“The medical team at Makerere University Hospital will continue to uphold matters of privacy, confidentiality and the ethical standards that govern the medical profession when using the Mak RTI App to provide services to students, staff and the general public,” Dr Mulema said.