iLab Southeast Asia

Countries within the Mekong Basin region face serious health challenges with the convergence of factors such as the emergence of new infectious agents, increased globalization, climate change and growing urbanization. To effectively respond to these challenges and prevent the spread of communicable diseases, the strengthening of public health systems and improved regional cooperation around disaster preparedness and the surveillance and response to disease outbreaks are key.

InSTEDD iLab SEA was launched in 2008 in partnership with Google.org and the Rockefeller Foundation to design and develop integrated surveillance and response systems for disease outbreaks in the Mekong Basin region. Since its inception, the iLab has broadened its scope of activities to include interventions aimed at strengthening communications and information flow for maternal child health and for individuals receiving health care for TB and HIV as well as to help inform policy decisions for malaria prevention and care.

The iLab SEA has made a significant contribution to the international mHealth standards in the Southeast Asian region and beyond. Its work has transcended national boundaries thanks to its agile and participatory approaches to designing standards for mobile technology and supporting initiatives that improve global health, safety and sustainable development with mobile phones. The iLab SEA institutional use of design principles and context-appropriate technical support has enables partners across countries to overcome obstacles that hinder collaboration, allowing them to work more effectively in the health arena.The widespread use of iLab SEA solutions, especially their Verboice technology in the region and world reflects their value add to other available solutions.