FoodFarmacy
The problem that the solution is working to solve is the cost-effective remission of nutrition-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes. 40% of Kenyans suffer from nutrition-related diseases, with 5.5% suffering from type 2 diabetes according to International Diabetes Federation. Type 2 diabetes is considered a lifestyle disease and can be prevented and reversed through nutrition. The mean average direct cost to Type 2 Diabetes patients is Ksh 53,207 with medication costing 52.4% of the cost and the indirect annual cost is KES 23,174
The solution is App based. It provides medically adviced food solutions for specific diseases with a nutritionist available for call in. A patient downloads the App, creates an account, and fills in simple questions that result in an automated response on what quantity of foods to eat, how many times a day for accelerated remission. The type of food is localized and advisory available in the local language.
The current target market is persons suffering from Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is costly since it results in reduced work hours, more money spent on medication and hospital visits. In Kenya, 35.5% of the population lives under the poverty line of $1.90. The App will provide type 2 diabetes patients with a food prescription, a cheaper treatment toward remission of the disease.
Programme for Capacity Development in Africa has Farmhubs and FoodFarmacy hubs in rural farming communities where the disease is prevalent. P4CDA has been working with the agriculture, medical and nutrition fraternities at the universities and with doctors through Kenya Medical Association in training on the same at the grassroots. Personalized Therapeutic Nutrition at each of the FoodFarmacy Hubs is advised by foods locally available.
- Build fundamental, resilient, and people-centered health infrastructure that makes essential services, equipment, and medicines more accessible and affordable for communities that are currently underserved;
- Prototype
It is P4CDA hope that it can get help in fine-tuning the prototype for greater impact.
- Business model (e.g. product-market fit, strategy & development)
The solution lowers the cost of treating type 2 diabetes towards remission in a population where 35.5% live under the poverty line, $1.90/day.
The immediate impact will be increased work hours, especially for farmers.
Increased work hours will result in increased farm productivity.
Increased farm productivity results in food security and an improved economy.
Training at the P4CDA Farmhubs and FoodFarmacy hubs has resulted in healthy members in the rural farming communities. There has been a decline at the local hospital of type 2 diabetes patients and during the coffee harvesting season, there has been improved production owing to increased labor.
Interview with coffee cooperatives indicates the impact of the P4CDA FoodFarmacies in the area
The technology in use is an App with a cloud-based platform that offers the option of USSD advisory services.
- A new application of an existing technology
- Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning
- Big Data
- Software and Mobile Applications
- 1. No Poverty
- 2. Zero Hunger
- 3. Good Health and Well-being
- 4. Quality Education
- 10. Reduced Inequalities
- Kenya
- Kenya
- Nonprofit
The team is formed by persons of all gender. The solution is community-based. Hence works with all persons respective of gender, religion, or disability.
The initial engagement with the platform is freemium with pricing for premium features.
- Individual consumers or stakeholders (B2C)
Through subscription working with a network of health centers.
The initial funding was through team members. We have an MoU with a network of health centers and government.