Nas, Peter Buck of R.E.M., and Duncan Sheik join to change the way people think about health, technology and the developing world.

Global non-profit IntraHealth International is partnering with Grammy Award-winning artist Youssou N’Dour on a charity album titled “OPEN Remix” benefiting a new initiative created to address critical health issues in Africa by putting the latest open source software technologies directly in the hands of health workers.

Nas, Duncan Sheik and Peter Buck of R.E.M. are among the headliners donating remixes of N’Dour’s song “Wake Up” to raise funds and visibility for the IntraHealth OPEN Initiative.

Starting February 11th and rolling through spring, free downloads of the songs will be available with a suggested donation through distribution partners including Rhapsody, iLike, Amazon MP3, and through IntraHealth’s website at www.intrahealth.org/open.

IntraHealth OPEN is a global initiative that engages technology, health leaders and students to develop and sustain software applications tailored to meet urgent health care needs. The project will strengthen African health professionals’ ability to identify and implement appropriate technology solutions that make health services more cost-effective and accessible.

“The IntraHealth OPEN Initiative will foster a new generation of technology professionals, eHealth workers, and national leaders who understand, use, and support open technologies to improve health” said IntraHealth’s CEO Pape Gaye.

“Open source technologies let us address health challenges collaboratively with African developers in the lead” said N’Dour. “If we invest in open source development training in Africa we will be supporting self-sufficient health professionals able to use technology and customize programs to address their critical health challenges.”
IntraHealth has assembled an OPEN Council made up of pioneers in the fields of entertainment, technology, and public health. OPEN Council members include representatives from VH1, MTV Europe Foundation, ONE, Wikia, Tech Soup Global, Red Hat, The Linux Foundation, GNOME Foundation, Creative Commons, Open Source Software Institute, OSU Open Source Lab, O’Reilly Media, Motorola, Novell, Brightkite, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, D-Tree International, Ushahidi, and Reseau Africain de L’Education Pour La Sante. The group is seeking private partners to help expand and extend the program.

The digital only “OPEN Remix” will be released by the Oseao Media Group and features top artists including:
Youssou N’Dour
Nas
Peter Buck
Duncan Sheik
Toubab Krewe
Umar Bin Hassan
DJ Equal
Q-Burns Abstract Message
Gavin Hardkiss aka Hawke
Afrissippi
Beef Wellington

ABOUT INTRAHEALTH INTERNATIONAL
IntraHealth International has been improving public health service in developing countries for nearly 30 years. The non-profit’s mission is to create sustainable, accessible health care by preparing and supporting frontline healthcare workers. IntraHealth has worked to improve health in more than 50 countries, and receives funding and support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, private foundations, corporations and individuals.
For further information, videos, pictures and song samples contact Heather LaGarde, Special Projects Advisor, IntraHealth, hlagarde@intrahealth.org, 336-675-7704
For information on IntraHealth contact Fred Hartman, Communications Director, fhartman@intrahealth.org 919-313-9132