Have laptop, will travel

‘User friendly’ microcomputers are increasingly becoming a part of life in Ministries of Health in developing countries, and are available at prices that individuals can afford. Mozambique now has several IBM-compatible microcomputers in the Ministry of Health and in the main donor agency offices, with a rapidly expanding group of enthusiasts, both national and expatriate. In the MOH epidemiology department three people also have IBM-compatible portable computers. This is a very recent situation, both computers and computer-literate people arriving in the last one or two years. For those whose work takes them away from home or office, a laptop may offer the means of completing a job while in the field, rather than rushing to analyse data and write reports on return. What is more, laptops can often be run off batteries. The Ministry in Maputo has an excellent electricity supply, but in the rest of the capital there have been frequent power cuts due to sabotage. Most provincial capitals have electricity for periods ranging from 3 to 24 hours per day, though some are also subject to attack. The electrical current in the provinces is less well regulated than in the capital, with frequent troughs and surges. A portable computer which can run off rechargeable batteries would seem to offer great potential. However, as always, things are not always so straightforward with new technologies: laptops have their uses, but there are also pitfalls. This article presents some experiences with the use of a laptop in Mozambique while working in the epidemiology department of the Ministry of Health.

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