One-line solution summary:
COVID -19: Reducing Maternal Mortality during curfew hours in Kenya
Pitch your solution.
In order to curb the spread of COVID 19 and reduce social interactions, the Kenya government instituted a nation-wide curfew from 7pm to 5am, in which public transport services are not operational during these hours. The Institution of the curfew has created anxiety among pregnant women should labour ensue during the night. The woes of women across the country who are either having to deliver at home or walk miles to the nearest health facilities due to unavailability of public transport.
Our solution is to build on an existing Taxi Platform by connecting it to a TOLL FREE number for pregnant mothers to call and speak to an obstetrician/Gynaecologist. The doctor then authorises a Taxi to collect the patient. For advanced cases an ambulance is dispatched.
The solution is enabled by technology to bring a Taxi Company, Kenya Police and Physicians to contribute to SDG 3 on reducing maternal mortality.
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) a global pandemic has globally affected almost all countries, there have been 1,356,780 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 79,385 deaths, reported to World Health Organization (WHO).
The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 focuses on the need to reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births and end preventable neonatal death. In Kenya, the 2014 KDHS, recorded an estimate 362 deaths per 100,000 live births. Key among the issues impeding its reduction is limited access to health care facilities, an impediment associated with the current night time curfew instituted by the Kenya Government.
This solution sights the following goals
1. Ensure maternal health care at all times especially in times of emergency
2. Facilitate movement of obstetric emergencies both labour and miscarriage during curfew
hours to hospitals
3. Establish a triage system for mothers through telemedicine to ensure mothers are taken to the proper level of care which is level 4/5/6 hospital
4. As a Data collection point for maternal health care in association with COVID-19 pandemic work with different corporate and stakeholders to ensure easy flow of this programme for all the public.
5. Create public awareness
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution is designed to provide access to hospital for women in labour who might present with obstetric emergencies is of utmost importance if we are to prevent an increase in maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. We propose certain considerations that may aid them to get to hospitals.
Most near-term women have already been on follow up in antenatal
clinics with a birth plan in place with their various caregivers. Our focus is
to facilitate their movement from their homes to their facility of choice.
We also are aware that many pregnant women have questions/concerns
that may be addressed via telephone by a health care provider.
We engage with them through the following
1. TeleMedicine Platform
2. Social Media
3. Toll Free line where they can call using a simple phone to speak to a specialist who speaks to them confidently understanding their needs and the necessary recommendations.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Explain how the problem, your solution, and your solution’s target population relate to the Mission Billion Challenge WURI West Africa Prize and your selected dimension.
Our solution is a unique solution that targets pregnant women in low income areas and those in the informal economy. It targets the women savings schemes to ensure that their members do not suffer from mortality during curfew thereby affecting their economic abilities or capabilities.
Where is your solution team headquartered?
Nairobi, KenyaWhat is your solution’s stage of development?
Who is the primary delegate for your solution?
Dr. Anastasia Nyalita, Chief Executive Officer
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
Describe what makes your solution innovative.
Our Solution is a TeleMedicine Solution
- A Toll Free Number rings directly to a command center
- A command centre is set up that is run by Health care workers, possibly Doctors with interest in Obstetrics and Gynaecology that can triage the patients. Once they ascertain the level of emergency they will activate a response team.
- The command center is linked to a centralised transport center
- The Transport Center is connected to a Healthcare facility
Provide evidence that your solution works.
https://villgrokenya.or.ke/emergency-dispatch-saving-pregnant-women-in-nairobi-during-curfew/
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
What is your theory of change?
Maternal morbidity and mortality is preventable with appropriate measures taken to ensure women get to hospital in time.
As a society we need to urgently find ways to ensure safety of pregnant women especially those in in labour as we support the Kenya government in measures to curb the spread of COVID 19.
TeleMedicine is the solution.
How can your solution be incorporated into social protection and service delivery systems in West Africa?
We anticipate the National Hospital Insuarance Fund (NHIF) will fund ambulances if the Patient is a NHIF user. In addition, other insurance companies will be encouraged to treat obstetrics emergencies as essential especially during curfew hours.
Describe how 'user friendly' your solution is to incorporate into social protection programs and delivery systems in West Africa.
There is a toll free line that any emergency can be reported. The call center is equipped with Obstetricians and Gynaecologists who are ready to assist the women
How does your solution account for low connectivity environments and for users with low literacy and numeracy levels?
Our solution uses USSD applications that ensure households from low income areas can access services
Select the key characteristics of your target population.
In which countries will you be operating within the next year?
How many people does your solution currently serve? How many will it serve in one year? In five years?
It is currently serving 1000 women
It is anticipated to serve 20,000 women in 5 years
What are your goals within the next year and within the next five years?
Short Term Goals
1. To build a more inclusive platform than what we have
2. To raise funds for the infrastructure improvement and build a support team
5 year Goals
1. To serve 20,000 expectant women from 47 counties in Kenya
2. To raise 25 private sector partners to contribute to sustainability by injecting resources into the solution.
3. Build in a Public Private Partnership solution that can attract government budget allocations to fund some of the its activities.
What barriers currently exist for you to accomplish your goals in the next year and in the next five years?
Barriers
TeleMedicine platforms experiencing technical problems
Unavailability of enough medical emergency vehicles (ambulances).
Data shows that approximately 100-120 women deliver at night alone therefore unavailability of sufficient vehicles (ambulances) for the low and middle income population.
High costs of Privately owned ambulances
How do you plan to overcome these barriers?
Building robust TeleMedicine platforms
Partnerships with County Governments to provide infrastructure
What type of organization is your solution team?
If you selected Other, please explain here.
The Solution is owned by the Kenya Healthcare Federation which is the Health Sector Board for Kenya Private Sector Association.
The Federation brings together all private healthcare sectors to a platform of advocacy and effective delivery of health services to Kenyans.
How many people work on your solution team?
Full Time (8)
Dr. Anastacia Nyalita (CEO)
Dr. Jemimah Kariuki
Dr. Daniella Munene
Dr. Joan Osoro
Dr. Lyndon Marani
Leah Odundo
Irene Karanja
Part Time (3)
Moses Marangu
Lydia Kemunto
Solomon Onyata
How long have you been working on your solution?
This solution started on 28th April 2020
Why are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
We are well positioned to deliver this solution because
1. We have a large talent pool within the team
2. The team also serves in various taskforces at the Ministry of Health and therefore, influencing policy for the sustenance of this program is guaranteed.
3. The full time staff is very engaged and available to drive the program
What organizations do you currently partner with, if any? How are you working with them?
AMREF AFRICA - Is a key partner in providing support in as far as community health workers who support with local mobilisation of patients
BOLT - A taxi company that has provided the centralised transport platform
Rescue.co - An organisation with a capacity of 150 ambulances that are available for this project
University of Nairobi - Has been documenting the process and also providing Doctors for the call centre.
PharmAccess Foundation - Has technical expertise in Quality of Care provision and therefore supports with relevant technical assistance
The Ministry of Health and the County Governments - Have provided the public hospital facilities to serve the patients.
The Kenya Police Force- Have been supportive in ensuring the curfew times are adhered to and also that expectant women can be served adequately.
What is your business model?
Our Business Model is a Private Public Partnership that leverages its resources from public funds and philanthropy.
Do you primarily provide products or services directly to individuals, or to other organizations?
What is your path to financial sustainability?
Sustainability for the program lies in joint ventures that ensure cross subsidisation to cover the costs of the poorer populations.
If you have raised funds for your solution or are generating revenue, please provide details.
Currently the innovation is new.
No funds have been raised, however the solution has been running on inkind contributions from partners.
If you seek to raise funds for your solution, please provide details.
We seek to raise grant funding of USD 4,500,000.00
These funds will be utilised in
1. Improving the Telemedicine Platform to accomodate modules that bring efficiency gains and better health outcomes
2. Creating public awareness on the availability of antenatal care and delivery services for expectant mothers
3. Scaling up to 47 Counties in Kenya
4. Institutional Support
What are your estimated expenses for 2020?
Our Estimated budget for 2020 is USD 1,089,000.00
Solution Team
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KF
Kenya Healthcare Federation Kenya Healthcare Federation
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Solution Name:
Wheels for Life