Derash

Have you had an experience with a traffic accident or witnessed one? The reason for my inquiry is that I, as a former Medical Intern at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Hospital in Harar, have encountered such an occurrence and feel inclined to share it.

In 2019, while returning from a one-week break from my hometown of Addis Ababa, a public transportation vehicle carrying myself and 11 other passengers collided with a truck moving in the opposite direction. The accident was chaotic, and it seemed that no one would survive.

The village locals and other passengers in our vehicle rushed to provide aid to the victims. We urged our driver to provide a first aid kit; however, to our surprise, he and other drivers in the area did not have one, despite it being a compulsory requirement in each vehicle.

I observed that many individuals lacked the necessary skills to provide aid in such emergencies, causing further harm to those affected and themselves. Eventually, we managed to transport the victims to nearby health centers using cars, as obtaining an ambulance was unfeasible. Tragically, two victims did not survive, and many were gravely injured.

As a Medical Doctor, this incident motivated me to focus on post-crash care and raise awareness about the importance of first aid. It inspired me to start our startup, Blue Health Ethiopia, alongside my colleagues. 

First aid and prehospital care are crucial aspects of emergency response, particularly in the aftermath of traffic accidents. However, developing countries like Ethiopia face numerous challenges in providing timely and effective first-aid care.

One of the significant problems is the lack of access to medical resources and equipment, including first aid kits and ambulances. As a result, bystanders and public transportation drivers are often ill-equipped to provide the necessary medical assistance, leading to further harm to victims and themselves. Moreover, the traffic congestion and poor road infrastructure in many parts of the country hinder ambulance response times, limiting access to emergency care.

Another challenge is the inadequacy of healthcare workers trained in first aid and prehospital care. Many individuals lack the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver emergency care, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Furthermore, a shortage of resources and trained personnel in rural areas means that the provision of first aid and prehospital care is often comparatively worse than in urban areas.

Finally, limited public awareness about the importance of timely prehospital care exacerbates the existing problems in Ethiopia’s health system. Many individuals lack basic knowledge regarding the appropriate course of action during emergencies, further hindering effective first aid care.

In conclusion, the challenges facing first aid and prehospital care in developing countries like Ethiopia are multifaceted. Improving the availability of medical resources, training more healthcare professionals in emergency response, and increasing public awareness about the importance of timely care are crucial steps in addressing these problems.

Derash Mobile application

Improving Emergency Medicine in Ethiopia: Technological Solutions

We have developed a mobile application that does the following in its first version, which is released on the Play Store:

1. convenient access to ambulance services
2. providing virtual consultations to victims of an accident 
3. Guiding users on "what to do" and "what not to do" during emergencies  
4. create linkage to hospitals

This endeavors to minimize the golden hour after an emergency in Ethiopia. 

Version 2 of the mobile application could include the following improvements and additions:

1. Virtual consultations for accident victims.
2. Real-time updates on ambulance locations and estimated times of arrival.
3. Medical history sharing with hospitals to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
4. Distress signal to alert nearby app users for immediate help.
5. A geolocation tracker for faster response times by authorities and hospitals

In addition, we provide emergency training to healthcare professionals, including community health workers and emergency medical personnel, and the community to significantly enhance the response time to emergencies.

Teaching first aid to drivers and construction workers is a vital solution in addressing emergency response challenges, increasing safety and reducing fatalities in these essential sectors. The target population for this intervention is drivers and construction workers, who are often exposed to hazardous environments, accidents, and emergencies daily.

Typically, drivers and construction workers in developing countries, in particular, have limited or no access to emergency response services, especially in remote or rural locations. Even where emergency services are available, response times can be delayed, leading to additional casualties, injuries, and fatalities. These groups frequently work in high-risk areas, where accidents are more likely, and thus, there is a greater need for prompt medical attention.

By training these groups in first aid, they will be better equipped to provide emergency medical assistance to themselves and those around them before having access to formal medical care. This training will empower drivers and construction workers with the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence to assess and manage a range of emergency situations and provide the appropriate first aid until further medical attention is available.

Moreover, underserved populations such as those living in rural areas, low-income areas, or communities lacking medical facilities, will benefit directly from this intervention, since their access to timely medical assistance is limited. The quality of emergency medical care will increase since drivers and construction workers will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to provide emergency medical services, reducing the frequency and severity of injuries.

Furthermore, teaching first aid to drivers and construction workers will improve their overall health and safety. The intervention will help prevent the escalation of injuries and illnesses, reduce the risk of combative injury situations on work environments, and, thus, reduce the costs to employee safety and business operations.

In conclusion, by teaching first aid with technology aid to drivers and construction workers, we are improving the lives of people who are at risk of injury and death. We are also facilitating access to emergency medical care where adequate infrastructure is lacking, limiting loss of life and injury escalation. Therefore, implementing first aid training to drivers and construction workers will address their needs, help build emergency readiness in these sectors and ultimately save lives.

First of all, I would like to mention that such kind of project can only be implemented by a group of a team so we are the best to do such projects because we have a group of Diversified professionals working with us to achieve a common goal and that’s what our project needs.

Dr. Binyam Alemu –CEO and co-founder , former VP of EMSA haramaya Dr. Binyam is a young medical doctor with experience in the hospital and healthcare sectors. Competent in marketing strategy, business development, planning, and working with investors. He is motivated and eager to work hard, pay attention to detail, and have strong organizational skills in order to help the team succeed. He aspires to fill the inadequacies in our healthcare system by becoming a powerful social entrepreneur.

Dr. Elias Tadesse – COO and co-founder, former VP of EMSA national, former president at Bego Sew Humanitarian Association. As a young medical practitioner striving to enhance Ethiopia's emergency sector, Dr. Elias Tadesse is passionate about applying new ideas to better people's lives. His entrepreneurial mentality has motivated him to look for new ways to improve Ethiopia's healthcare system and to lead others in this endeavor.

With great leadership and communication skills, he has been able to gather a team of like-minded individuals who share his goal of enhancing emergency care in Ethiopia. He has0 collaborated on a variety of creative technologies that have the potential to transform the way emergency care is given in our country.

One of his primary goals is to increase the speed and efficiency of emergency response times in Ethiopia. He is thrilled to be a part of this innovative healthcare movement and looks forwards to continuing to lead the charge toward a brighter future for Ethiopian emergency care.

Dr. Natan Mulubrihan (assistant professor) – CPD director and co-founder, emergency and critical care specialist @ Haramaya university.

Dr. Nathan Graduated from Haramaya University as a doctor of medicine and did his specialty in emergency and critical care at Black Lion hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He has many years of experience in giving training in basic emergency skills, emergency triage assessment and treatment, pediatric intensive critical care, and Training of Trainers (TOT) on advanced critical care of COVID-19 organized by the Ethiopian Medical Association (EMA) and Haramaya University. He worked as a manager, ICU physician, and rapid response team leader at Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Hospital COVID-19 treatment center. In addition, he worked at the Children’s Heart Fund of Ethiopia (CHFE). He has published a book called የቅድመ ህክምና እርዳታ ( a multilingual book in Amharic, Afan Oromo, Haderi, and Somali) Mr. Adam Getachew – CTO and co-founder, computer engineer, and former product manager @ beez social ERP.  Mr. Adam is a capable IT specialist with experience in creating websites, mobile applications, and microcontroller programs. He previously held positions as an Android developer/product manager at BeeZ Social ERP and as a system administrator for one of the largest lift technology companies, Dan Lift. Because of these experiences, he has strong technical and communication skills that enable him to work with a variety of clients and development teams.

100,000

Financial barriers are among the most common hindrances in implementing a project. Funding is vital for resource acquisition, staffing, and management expenses. Therefore, solving financial constraints would significantly aid in project implementation. 

Technical barriers such as inadequate technology in our country (Ethiopia) could limit the project implementation process. Specialists with technical knowledge could provide insights, advice, and solutions to address such issues. Technical assistance could range from providing software, hardware, technological training, infrastructure, or IT knowledge. You could help by providing non-monetary support such as mentorship or connecting teams with organizations with technological expertise.

Market barriers may hinder the success of a project since they impede the ability of the solution to reach the market. Therefore, you could offer mentorship on market and industry-related practices, connecting the project team to relevant industry stakeholders, funding, and networks that could help overcome these barriers.

Blue Health Ethiopia has a vital role in developing emergency medical support in East Africa. Ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion, particularly in leadership, is essential in addressing complex issues such as digitizing emergency medicine in Ethiopia. The leadership team’s perspectives, experiences, and strengths affect the direction of the entire organization, making it crucial for them to reflect the diverse communities they serve.

It is also essential to make diversity a priority in all areas of the organization, including hiring and recruitment processes, management practices, and organizational structures. If diverse candidates are present, they should be favored and offered equal opportunities for leadership positions based on their qualifications. Creating an inclusive environment that encourages teamwork, respect, and collaboration can result in equitable outcomes, regardless of individual differences.

Furthermore, companies such as Blue Health Ethiopia must ensure that their services are accessible to and inclusive of all communities. Acting with cultural competency, consulting with various stakeholders in multiple languages and identifying and removing systemic barriers that restrict access based on diverse human attributes, including identity-based and cultural characteristics, will allow for an inclusive impact on emergency medicine in East Africa.

To achieve greater diversity, equity, and inclusion, companies like Blue Health Ethiopia can leverage from the insights and experiences of external partners with specialized expertise in diversity, equity, and inclusion. For instance, partnering with local organizations focused on diversity, equity and inclusion can help identify barriers and translate data on community needs and diversity into educated decision-making practices.

• Overview: To help people and organizations be ready for crises and increase safety in their homes and workplaces, the company offers first aid training. The training courses are made to be useful, practical, and tailored to the participant’s individual needs.
• Target Market: The Company’s target market includes individuals, organizations, and businesses that are looking to improve safety standards and want to ensure they have trained individuals on staff to deal with emergencies. The target market can range from small businesses to large corporations, schools, community organizations, and individuals.
• Products/Services: The company will provide first aid training courses, both in-person and online. We will also offer additional services such as on-site training, refresher courses, and customized courses for specific needs.
• Pricing: The Company will charge a fee for each course or service provided. Prices will vary depending on the type of course or service requested.
• Marketing Strategies: The company can use several marketing strategies to attract potential clients, including:
• Promotion: The Company will use a variety of promotional tactics to reach its target market including social media campaigns, email campaigns, and traditional advertising methods such as print ads and radio spots.
• Customer Service: The Company will provide excellent customer service to ensure that customers are satisfied with their experience and that they receive the best possible training experience possible
• Delivery Model: The Company will offer both online and in-person classes depending on the needs of the customer. Online classes will be conducted via video conferencing software while in-person classes will be held at a designated location or at the customer’s premises if requested.

• Creating a website to display services and courses
• Partnering with businesses, schools, and other organizations to offer training programs
• Advertising on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
• Creating informative blog posts and other content that can be shared with potential customers
• Offering discounts or promotions for first-time customers or for groups.

Key Partners:

To succeed, the company may need to forge key partnerships with other organizations, such as:

• Local and international businesses and organizations for training partnerships
• Industry associations to help promote services and reach a broader audience
• Emergency services providers such as hospitals, ambulance services, and fire departments to help develop and deliver training programs.
• Certification organizations like the American Heart Association to provide certification and credibility to the Company training programs.
• Develop and deliver high-quality first-aid training courses
• Partner with local businesses and organizations to offer onsite training
• Offer certification and continuing education courses for current first aid professionals

Key Activities:

The key activities of the company would include:

• Developing and delivering training programs to meet the needs of clients
• Keeping up to date with the latest trends and techniques in first aid and emergency response
• Marketing and promoting the services to attract new customers
• Providing customer service to address inquiries, questions, or concerns from customers
• Maintaining relationships with key partners and stakeholders.

Value Proposition:

• High-quality first-aid training courses for individuals and businesses
• Customized training solutions based on client needs and industry requirements
• Access to certification and continuing education courses for professional development

Customer Segments:

• Individuals seeking personal or professional development in first aid
• Businesses and organizations seeking to improve safety in the workplace
• Health and safety professionals seeking continuing education courses

Channels:

• Website and social media for advertising and booking courses
• Referrals from partners and satisfied customers
• Onsite training at partner businesses and organizations

Customer Relationships:

• Personalized customer service to address individual needs and concerns
• Ongoing communication to keep customers informed about new courses and certifications

Revenue Streams:

• Course fees for individuals and businesses
• Certification and continuing education program fees
• Partnering fees with businesses and organizations for onsite training
• Additionally, the company may also generate revenue from selling related products such as first aid kits or other safety equipment to customers who have taken its courses.

Cost Structure:

The primary costs for the company would be associated with the development and delivery of training programs, including:

• Instructor salaries and benefits
• Training materials and equipment
• Facility rental costs
• Marketing and advertising expenses
• Course materials and supplies
• Renting or leasing training facilities
• Administrative costs like software licenses and office supplies.