Expansion of Operations in Rwanda - Press Release

DENVER, CO- As part of Vista LifeSciences' continuing commitment to using our technology to create and distribute sustainable healthcare solutions for underserved communities, we have recently expanded operations throughout the country of Rwanda. As Vista partners with Rwanda's government, a number of Vista technologies will be used in an effort to manage and prevent HIV. This follows a number of efforts in several other African and Caribbean countries. Vista LifeSciences, through the use of our Electronic Medical Pathways, is uniquely suited to assist in the fight against this disease that has ravaged numerous countries, especially in less accessible areas where more conventional types of technological solutions are not feasible. Using a multi-tiered approach, Vista LifeSciences, as well as our partners, are endeavoring to improve the health outlook of many thousands of individuals that have, to this point, been largely underserved by standard health initiatives.

Vista Electronic Medical Pathways (EMP) is being deployed throughout Rwanda in HIV clinics, and importantly, mobile care sites. Many of these mobile care sites are medical tents, repurposed buildings, and a variety of other structures that can be quickly and temporarily turned into a medical clinic. Due to their mobile and temporary nature, these sites quite often lack the equipment and technology that more dedicated sites possess. EMP's mobility and accessibility in remote environments allow these sites to have record-keeping abilities more aligned with those typically seen in more dedicated sites, and, as such, give health professionals a greater degree of insight into HIV in the heavily underserved rural and remote areas where EMP will most frequently be deployed. This is particularly crucial as these areas are often among those hit hardest by disease, and this increase in knowledge will assist health professionals in better understanding both the spread of HIV and the specific aid requirements of these underserved areas.

Additionally, Vista is partnered with Rwanda's army through the Army Week outreach campaign. This yearly campaign sees the military deployed to rural areas for the purpose of bringing quality healthcare to those who normally have little access to it. EMP, with its high degrees of mobility, versatility, and ease of use, is perfectly suited for such large scale projects where quality record-keeping is essential, but standard methods are unavailable. Additionally, Rwanda's main hospital is currently using the Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision portion of the application in another facet of their fight against the spread of HIV. With the help of our partners in Drew Cares, the Society for Family Health, and JHPIEGO, many more users are being trained, not only in the use of EMP, but also in the skills necessary to train others in its use. If successful, this project will give the government of Rwanda a powerful new tool in their fight against HIV.