Situation
Malawi has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates for countries in the world. Since 2008, the Global AIDS Interfaith Alliance (GAIA) and the The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) have partnered on bringing health care to over 1 million residents in the rural Mulanje and Phalombe districts.
Problem
Because of the stigma associated with AIDS, some residents avoid being tested, receiving care or learning prevention techniques freely offered at the GAIA/ETAF mobile health clinics.
The GAIA/ETAF mobile health clinics have been relying on word of mouth and other means of announcing their medical visits and educational programs.
Solution
Genasys donated four LRAD 100X systems for use on the mobile health clinics in Malawi. The communication systems are being utilized to broadcast Anti-Siren acoustic tones, greetings, clinic services and health education information to rural villagers in the Mulanje and Phalombe districts.
“Genasys’ generous donation equips our mobile clinics with versatile public address systems to better reach the communities we serve in Malawi.” – Joel Goldman, ETAF Managing Director
“Our sonic placemaking firm, Public Decibel ®, developed Anti-Siren acoustic tones for ETAF to help break down the social stigmas of receiving care. More village residents are now coming for medical treatment after reportedly hearing the LRAD broadcasts from over 1 km away.” – Jake Harper, Public Decibel Creative Director
