Digital literacy training for Pacific people attracts govt funding

SECTOR UPDATE - Ministry of Health

Hear Amio Matenga-Ikihele speak about DIGIFALE at Digital Health Week in Wellington November 29 – December 1, 2021. Register Now.

DIGIFALE is a unique approach with the Pacific community that builds people’s digital literacy and then supports them to use this knowledge to access health and other online services. 

The initiative has received funding from the Ministry of Health’s Digital Enablement Programme, which provides support for innovation in digital health care. The programme has a particular focus on co-investing in projects that improve access or participation for people who do not access health services and need to. 

DIGIFALE is provided by Moana Research. Innovations Lead Amio Matenga Ikihele says the initiative harnesses the intergenerational digital skills of Pacific young people to teach their elders digital literacy, in a church setting.

‘We want to reduce digital inclusion in Pacific communities. Research shows these are the same communities that experience health disparities. If we are to encourage the use of digital platforms to access health services, we need to make sure from the very beginning that people have digital technology skills. And then build up their confidence to the point where they can self-manage their conditions online, or make doctors’ appointments. It’s a process that takes time, but when done right from the beginning, there are huge benefits for families.’

DIGIFALE is a series of church-based workshops. Participants are provided with smartphones, and two months’ worth of free data.

Young people are trained within Pacific churches to become DIGIFALE navigators, for their older people.

“Initially, the focus is on building basic mobile literacy, like getting to know how a mobile phone works,” says Ikihele. 

“Then people learn simple functions like taking photos, text messaging or scanning QR codes, and finally more advanced skills like using your patient portal to make appointments and get test results online, and searching for credible health websites.

The pilot of DIGIFALE was carried out with a Niue community in South Auckland. The Ministry of Health digital enablement funding will allow the initiative to be also be expanded to Cook Island, Samoan and Tonga groups, as well as another Niue group.

Source: Ministry of Health media release

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