Health Equity Powered by Quaefacta Health

The healthcare landscape in Ethiopia presents significant challenges, particularly in remote and rural areas where access to routine medical care is limited or nonexistent. A significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line, leading to limited access to healthcare resources. 

Many individuals struggle to afford medical care or must travel long distances to access it. Additionally, there is a lack of awareness or education about available healthcare options, further exacerbating disparities.

Moreover, underserved communities often face systemic barriers that contribute to distrust in healthcare systems. Historical injustices, discrimination, and disparities in healthcare delivery have led to skepticism and reluctance to engage with healthcare providers. This distrust extends to concerns about the privacy and security of personal health data, as communities may fear exploitation or misuse of their information.

The scale of the healthcare problem in Ethiopia is significant, impacting millions of individuals. Remote and rural communities bear the brunt of healthcare disparities, facing limited access to essential services, digital technologies and internet connectivity issues. 

In more developed areas of Ethiopia, access to routine healthcare is fragmented, patient health records often exist in paper files or outdated software systems, hindering effective healthcare delivery. This disjointed care affects everyone, especially patients who lack information about their health status, chronic diseases, vaccinations, blood type, medications, and allergens. 

Communicating health care needs to clinicians is challenging for most patients who generally have little say in who can access their information and how to access it themselves. For example, parents managing children’s vaccination records, chronic disease patients who see multiple doctors at many different facilities all rely on disconnected systems to record information with no easy way to port data from one place to another.

Several factors contribute to this problem, including geographic isolation, insufficient investment in healthcare infrastructure, lack of awareness and education on digital health, and inadequate healthcare workforce and training in remote areas. 

According to local statistics, Ethiopia faces significant healthcare challenges, including high maternal mortality rates and low rates of skilled health personnel attending births. The World Bank reports a maternal mortality ratio of 401 deaths per 100,000 live births in Ethiopia, highlighting the urgent need to improve maternal healthcare services. Additionally, only 34% of births in Ethiopia are attended by skilled health personnel, indicating limited access to essential healthcare services.

Globally, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately half of the world's population lacks access to essential health services, with disparities most pronounced in low- and middle-income countries like Ethiopia. Furthermore, the digital divide persists, with only 19% of individuals in the least developed countries using the internet, compared to 87% in developed countries.

To address these challenges, comprehensive solutions are needed. This includes expanding healthcare infrastructure and services to remote areas, digitizing patient health records, providing digital literacy training to healthcare providers and communities, and deploying telemedicine and mobile health solutions. These efforts aim to bridge the digital divide, improve healthcare access and outcomes, and promote equitable healthcare delivery for individuals in Ethiopia.

Quaefacta Health Pty Ltd (“QFH”), is a digital health company based in Australia, and dedicated to equitable access to healthcare, patient empowerment, and privacy-by-design. QFH is partnering with AfroValley (“AFV”), a company based in Ethiopia, focused on supporting agricultural ethnic groups faced with socio-economic challenges and climate change, to provide healthcare support and services to the Bunakoo Coffee Growers Community (“BCGC”) in the ethnic Oromia region of Ethiopia. 

The objective of the “Nagaa Project'' (the “Project”) is to raise the necessary support and funding to implement the vision and accomplish the objectives described below.

This unique opportunity will allow us to assist the AFV farmers community in the management of their healthcare, including supporting farmers and their families in the areas of chronic disease management, women’s and childhood health, nutrition and immunizations, and will also assist in facilitating health programs.

QFH Platform enables individuals to manage their health data securely and transparently ensuring data integrity and security, while tokenization allows users to incentivize their health data through reward tokens and digital currencies. QFH's incentivization program not only benefits patients but also encourages real-world evidence generation, public health initiatives, and sustainable development goal targets.

Solution

1. Phase A: Develop Digital Health Wallet Module and Educate BCGC

• Perform market research to ensure proper and specific targeting of BCGC members;
• Build Digital Health Wallet (DHW) with user interface specifically designed for BCGC;
• Train BCGC farmers on QFH platform with digital skills and technology access (PC, smartphone, internet access, etc);
• Record farmers’ current and historical health status and data: Patient Health Record (PHR).

 2. Phase B: Develop Telemedicine Module, Educate and Train BCGC and Healthcare Providers (HCPs)

• Ease patient journey with HCPs and chronic disease management: reduce patient time spent interacting with HCPs and seeking health-related information, reduce HCP workload;
• Improve BCGC’s overall health by providing access to HCPs and Telemedicine Modules, e.g., consultations with doctors and nurses for chronic disease management, mental and physical wellness, etc.

3. Phase C: Develop Medication Traceability, Payment, and Tokenization Modules (Blockchain), Educate and Train BCGC and HCPs

• Provide BCGC with traceable supply chain and logistics to order, track, and deliver medicines;
• Barcode/QR medication scanning and last mile verification system;
• Payment and tokenization platform;
• Blockchain-enabled traceability platform and smart contracts.

4. Phase D: Advanced DHW Features with Chat Forum, Chronic Disease Management, Food & Nutrition, Mother Newborn Child Health (MNCH), Mental Health, and Tokenization Modules, Educate and Train BCGC and HCPs

• Build health awareness in BCGC: both public social media and private chat rooms to discuss health-related issues and educate BCGC on health-related news and issues;
• Provide BCGC with personalized recommendations for chronic disease management, e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health, etc;
• Provide BCGC with access to food and nutritional support to build physical and mental wellness;
• Create tokenized incentive model for BCGC to stay compliant with prescribed medications and stay fit and healthy;
• Create tokenized incentive model for BCGC to benefit from sharing its de-identified health data with Government, NGOs, academic institutions, and Pharma.

QFH Prototype

Target Population: Bunakoo Coffee Growers Community (BCGC) comprises individuals living in rural areas of the Oromia region, where access to routine healthcare is limited. These individuals, including farmers and their families, often face significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare services. Currently there are 600 BCGC users on the AFV mobile application that will be able to access to the QFH Platform.

Background: AfroValley (AFV), based in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is a social enterprise fostering sustainable development through the digital transformation of agriculture trade and logistics. AFV’s approach fosters smart integrated agriculture by connecting both public and private sectors under a single platform that focuses on agro-supply chain and farmer socio-economic empowerment. AFV together with QFH Platform, the Nagaa Project, plays an important role in improving their welfare, health and social outcomes. 

Current Challenges: BCGC faces numerous challenges in accessing healthcare, including:

1. Limited Access: Remote and rural communities often lack healthcare facilities and resources, forcing residents to travel long distances to access medical care.
2. Fragmented Records: Patient health records are often maintained in paper format or outdated software systems, leading to disjointed care and compromised health outcomes.
3. Lack of Information: Individuals have limited knowledge of their health status, medical history, and necessary healthcare interventions, such as vaccinations and medications.
4. Discontinuity of Care: Patients may not consistently see the same healthcare provider, leading to gaps in the management of chronic conditions and overall health maintenance.

Solution Impact: QFH's solution aims to directly and meaningfully improve the lives of the BCGC in several ways:

1. Improved Access to Healthcare: By leveraging digital health technologies, including telemedicine and mobile health solutions, enhances access to routine healthcare services for BCGC. Virtual consultations and remote monitoring enable individuals to receive medical advice and treatment without the need to travel long distances.
2. Enhanced Health Data Management: QFH Platform digitizes patient health records, ensuring comprehensive and up-to-date information is accessible to both patients and healthcare providers. This centralized database facilitates continuity of care, reduces duplicated tests, and improves overall care coordination.
3. Empowerment through Information: Individuals gain access to critical health information, including their current health status, medical history, and necessary healthcare interventions. This knowledge empowers them to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, leading to better health outcomes.
4. Continuity of Care: By enabling patients to maintain ongoing relationships with healthcare providers, the solution addresses gaps in the management of chronic conditions and ensures consistent access to medical care.
5. Community Engagement and Education: QFH collaborates with AFV to engage the BCGC community in healthcare management. Educational programs and outreach efforts raise awareness about preventive healthcare measures, nutrition, and disease management, empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being.
6. Policy and Research Support: QFH Platform provides valuable data for policymakers, governments, and healthcare stakeholders. Real-world evidence generated through the platform informs healthcare policies, public health initiatives, and research endeavors, contributing to the advancement of healthcare delivery in Ethiopia.

Nagaa Project aims to serve the BCGC in Ethiopia by addressing their unique healthcare needs and challenges. 

The Team - Our team is comprised of a diverse and experienced group of experts from various fields and backgrounds including clinical care, digital transformation and health informatics, public health and human centred design. Each member brings their unique expertise, clinical, technical and cultural understanding, as well as a deep commitment to addressing healthcare disparities, making the team integral to the success of the project. QFH is well-positioned to deliver the proposed solution to the BCGC in Ethiopia and will work closely with the Ethiopian Health Ministry to deliver and scale our project.

Representation:

Lea Dias - CEO & Founder of Quaefacta Health and Team Lead - background in clinical pharmacy and digital health strategy, Lea embodies the commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations. Lea's experience designing and developing electronic health records and software for hospitals and her passion for leveraging technology to address healthcare disparities make her a natural advocate for the BCGC community. Her involvement in global healthcare innovation initiatives and dedication to empowering individuals with their ownhealth data demonstrate her alignment with the values and priorities of the communities she serves.

Joel Berniac (QFH) - Business Development - with over 23 years of experience in medicinal chemistry, drug discovery, and business development, brings a wealth of knowledge in healthcare and biotechnology to the team. Joel's track record of success in founding biopharmaceutical companies and his commitment to driving positive change align with the goals of the proposed solution, making him an essential member of the team.

Kume Chibsa - CEO & Founder of AfroValley - brings a deep understanding of the agricultural sector and grassroots community engagement to the team.Kume is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between technology and community needs. Her commitment to social impact entrepreneurship and her track record of founding and scaling startups demonstrate her dedication to uplifting underserved communities, including those in the BCGC. Kume's involvement in initiatives focused on sustainable development and growth through digital adoption reflects her commitment to addressing the specific challenges facing rural communities in Ethiopia.

Solomie Jebassa MD Health Director - a public health expert, pediatrician, and infectious disease specialist with years of experience in East Africa, brings a deep understanding of the healthcare challenges facing communities in Ethiopia. Her expertise in infectious diseases, maternal and child health will provide valuable insights into designing and implementing effective healthcare interventions.

Guided by Community Input:

Design and implementation of our solution are meaningfully guided by the input, ideas, and agendas of the BCGC community. Through extensive community engagement efforts, including focus groups, surveys, and participatory design workshops, we ensure that the solution aligns with the specific needs and priorities of the community.

Partnerships

Saaragh Technologies, Singapore, to build intelligent, data driven, and scalable applications including a COVID mobile application and a Patient Health Record prototype for monitoring patient health. Saargh has extensive experience with developing mobile and web apps, and with Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data storage and management, Cloud storage, Blockchain technologies, and Computer Vision.

Quaefacta Health has selected the Prototype stage for our Digital Health Platform because we have developed an initial working version of our solution and are currently in the process of gathering initial feedback and conducting testing with users. At this stage, our primary goal is to refine our platform based on user insights before transitioning to consistent availability in the market.

What we've built and tested so far:

1. Digital Health Platform: We have developed the core infrastructure of our digital health platform, which includes a Patient Health Record (PHR).
2. Pilot Testing: We have initiated pilot testing of our platform with a small group of users, including individuals, healthcare providers, and potential partners. This pilot testing phase aims to gather feedback on user experience, usability, functionality, and overall satisfaction with the platform.
3. User Feedback: We have actively solicited feedback from pilot users through surveys, interviews, and user testing sessions. This feedback has been instrumental in identifying areas for improvement, refining features, and enhancing the overall user experience of our platform.

At this stage, our focus has been on building and testing our prototype rather than on serving a large number of customers or beneficiaries. Our pilot testing group consists of approximately 120 individuals, including patients, healthcare providers, and stakeholders within the healthcare ecosystem. These users have provided valuable insights and feedback that will inform the iterative development of our platform.

Quaefacta Health has made significant progress in developing and testing our Digital Health Platform at the Prototype stage. Through our pilot testing initiatives and user feedback mechanisms, we have gained valuable insights into user preferences, needs, and pain points. While we have not yet served a large number of customers or beneficiaries, our focus on gathering feedback and refining our platform ensures that we are on the path to delivering a solution that meets the needs of our target users and stakeholders.

Digital Health Wallet Prototype

QFH are applying to the MIT Solve challenge because we believe it offers a unique opportunity to accelerate the development and implementation of our solution to address healthcare disparities in Ethiopia. MIT Solve's mission to drive social impact through innovation aligns closely with our goals of leveraging technology to improve access to healthcare and empower underserved communities.

Specific Financial, Technical, Legal, Cultural, or Market Barriers:

Financial Barriers: One of the primary barriers we face is securing sufficient funding to support the development and implementation of our solution. While QFH has made significant progress in leveraging our existing networks and partnerships, additional financial resources are needed to scale our solution effectively. MIT Solve's network of partners and potential funders presents an invaluable opportunity to access the financial support needed to advance our solution.

Technical Barriers: Developing and implementing a comprehensive digital health solution requires technical expertise across multiple domains, including software development, data analytics, and cybersecurity. While our complimentary team possesses diverse technical skills, overcoming technical barriers such as interoperability issues, data privacy concerns, and scalability challenges remains a priority. MIT Solve's network of technical experts and innovation ecosystem can provide valuable insights and resources to address these challenges effectively.

Legal and Regulatory Barriers: Navigating the legal and regulatory landscape, both in Ethiopia and internationally, presents significant challenges for implementing our solution. Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR, intellectual property laws, and healthcare standards requires careful consideration and legal expertise. MIT Solve's network of legal experts and regulatory advisors can provide guidance and support to QFH to help navigate these complexities and ensure that our solution adheres to the highest ethical and legal standards.

Cultural Barriers: Cultural factors, including language barriers of those in the Oromia region, societal norms, and traditional beliefs, can impact the acceptance and adoption of digital health solutions in Ethiopia. Building trust and engaging with local communities in a culturally sensitive manner is essential to the success of our solution. MIT Solve's emphasis on community engagement and cultural understanding aligns with our approach and can provide valuable insights and resources to overcome cultural barriers effectively.

Market Barriers: Entering the healthcare market in Ethiopia poses unique challenges, including competition from traditional healthcare providers, limited access to technology infrastructure, and low levels of digital literacy among certain population segments. Overcoming these market barriers requires strategic partnerships, market research, and targeted marketing efforts. We believe MIT Solve's network of industry experts, market researchers, and business advisors can provide valuable support and guidance to QFH to navigate these challenges and establish a sustainable market presence.

QFH Platform is pioneering innovation by harnessing cutting-edge technologies including blockchain, artificial intelligence (AI), digital cryptocurrencies, incentivization of health data, and robust privacy and security measures. Through the integration of these technologies, the solution aims to revolutionize healthcare access, management, and incentives, ultimately leading to enhanced health outcomes and equitable care access.

Blockchain Technology: QFH's blockchain technology offers a decentralized, incorruptible, and transparent means of storing and sharing information. In QFH Platform's private blockchain is used to create a secure and tamper-proof ledger of health data, ensuring the integrity and privacy of patient information. By decentralizing data storage and removing the need for intermediaries, blockchain enables patients to have full control over their health data, allowing them to share it securely with healthcare providers and other stakeholders as needed.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in our solution by analyzing large volumes of health data to identify patterns, trends, and insights that can inform personalized healthcare interventions. AI-powered algorithms can analyze patient data to predict health risks, recommend preventive measures, and optimize treatment plans, leading to more proactive and effective healthcare management.

Digital Cryptocurrencies and Incentivization of Health Data: One of the most innovative aspects of QFH solution is the integration of digital cryptocurrencies and incentivization mechanisms to encourage individuals to proactively manage their health and share their data. By rewarding users with tokens or digital currencies for participating in health-related activities, such as monitoring their vital signs, adhering to medication regimens, or participating in clinical research, we incentivize behavior change and promote healthier lifestyles. 

Privacy and Security of Health Data: Privacy and security are paramount in our solution, especially when dealing with sensitive health information. Through the use of advanced encryption techniques, cryptographic hashing, we ensure that patient data remains private and secure at all times. By embedding privacy features directly into the blockchain infrastructure, we enable patients to control who can access their data and under what conditions, thereby enhancing trust and transparency in the healthcare system.

Approach to the Problem: QFH's solution approaches the problem of healthcare in a new and significantly improved way by putting patients at the center of their healthcare journey. By empowering individuals to own and manage their health data via a easily accessible mobile application, this not only improves access to care but also promotes patient engagement, autonomy, and empowerment.

Impact on the Market/Landscape: Our solution has the potential to fundamentally change the healthcare market landscape by disrupting traditional models of care delivery and reimbursement. By incentivizing health data sharing and rewarding positive health behaviors, we create new opportunities for value creation and collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem. 

Furthermore, by promoting interoperability and data exchange through blockchain technology, our solution can break down silos and facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, insurers, and patients. This interoperability not only improves care coordination and continuity but also accelerates medical research, innovation, and the development of new treatments and therapies.

QFH Platform aims to leverage technology to empower individuals, improve access to care, and promote better health outcomes. The theory of change underlying our solution outlines how our activities will lead to immediate outputs and longer-term outcomes for our target population.

Activities:

1. Development of QFH Digital Health Platform: Our first activity involves the development of a digital health platform powered by blockchain technology and artificial intelligence. This platform will serve as a secure and user-friendly interface for individuals to access and manage their health data.
2. BCGC Engagement and Education: We will conduct community outreach and education initiatives to raise awareness about the importance of health data ownership and the benefits of our solution. This includes workshops, training sessions, and informational campaigns tailored to the needs and preferences of our target population.
3. QFH Incentivization Mechanisms: We will design and implement incentivization mechanisms, such as digital cryptocurrencies, to reward individuals for proactively managing their health and sharing their data. These incentives will encourage behavior change and promote healthier lifestyles among our target population.
4. Partnerships and Collaboration: We will establish partnerships with local healthcare providers, government agencies, and community organizations to ensure the successful implementation and adoption of our solution. By collaborating with key stakeholders, we can leverage existing resources and infrastructure to reach a wider audience and maximize our impact.

Longer-Term Outcomes:

1. Improved Health Outcomes: By empowering individuals to take control of their health and providing them with the tools and incentives to do so, we expect to see improved health outcomes among our target population. This may include reduced rates of chronic diseases, lower mortality rates, and overall improvements in quality of life.
2. Enhanced Access to Care: Our solution aims to improve access to healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved areas where traditional healthcare infrastructure may be lacking. By leveraging technology, we can overcome geographical barriers and connect individuals with the care they need, when they need it.
3. Increased Health Equity: By promoting equitable access to healthcare and prioritizing the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations, our solution contributes to greater health equity within the community. This means that individuals from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to access quality healthcare services and achieve optimal health outcomes.
4. Transformed Healthcare System: Over time, we anticipate that our solution will catalyze broader systemic changes within the healthcare system, leading to more patient-centered care models, increased efficiency, and better coordination among healthcare providers. This transformation has the potential to create lasting positive impacts on the overall health and well-being of the population.

In summary, our theory of change outlines how our activities will lead to immediate outputs and longer-term outcomes for our target population, ultimately resulting in improved health outcomes, enhanced access to care, increased health equity, and a transformed healthcare system in Ethiopia.

Through the strategic deployment of technology, education, incentivization, and collaboration, we believe that our solution has the potential to make a meaningful and sustainable impact on healthcare disparities in the region.

QFH impact goals align with Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good health and well being, and are centered around four key areas: improved health outcomes, enhanced access to care, increased health equity, and transformation of the healthcare system. These impact goals guide all aspects of our work and serve as the foundation for measuring our progress towards creating meaningful and sustainable change in the region.

1. Improved Health Outcomes: Our first impact goal is to improve health outcomes among our target population. We aim to reduce rates of chronic diseases, lower mortality rates, and overall improve the quality of life for individuals in Ethiopia. To measure our progress towards this goal, we will track key health indicators such as:

• Reduction in the prevalence of chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension);
• Decrease in mortality rates for preventable diseases (e.g., pneumonia, diarrheal diseases);
• Increase in life expectancy;
• Improvement in self-reported health status and well-being among individuals.

2. Enhanced Access to Care: Our second impact goal is to enhance access to healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved areas where traditional healthcare infrastructure may be lacking. We aim to overcome geographical barriers and connect individuals with the care they need, when they need it. To measure our progress towards this goal, we will track indicators such as:

• Increase in the number of healthcare facilities equipped with digital health technology;
• Expansion of telemedicine services to reach remote communities;
• Reduction in travel time and distance to healthcare facilities for individuals;
• Increase in the utilization of preventive and primary care services.

3. Increased Health Equity: Our third impact goal is to increase health equity within the community by promoting equitable access to healthcare and prioritizing the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations. We aim to ensure that individuals from all backgrounds have equal opportunities to access quality healthcare services and achieve optimal health outcomes. To measure our progress towards this goal, we will track indicators such as:

• Reduction in disparities in healthcare access and utilization based on socioeconomic status, geographic location, and other demographic factors;
• Increase in the proportion of individuals from vulnerable populations receiving essential healthcare services;
• Improvement in health outcomes among marginalized communities;
• Strengthening of community partnerships and engagement to address health disparities.

4. Transformation of the Healthcare System: Our fourth impact goal is to catalyze broader systemic changes within the healthcare system, leading to more patient-centered care models, increased efficiency, and better coordination among healthcare providers. To measure our progress towards this goal, we will track indicators such as:

• Adoption of digital health technology by healthcare providers and facilities;
• Improvement in healthcare delivery processes and workflows;
• Increase in the use of data-driven decision-making in healthcare management;
• Strengthening of healthcare infrastructure and capacity building initiatives.

In summary, our impact goals encompass a comprehensive approach to addressing healthcare in Ethiopia. We will measure our progress towards these goals through a combination of quantitative and qualitative indicators, ensuring that our solution is making a meaningful and sustainable impact on the lives of individuals in the region.

QFH aims to introduce emerging technology including mobile app technology, blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). QFH recognises that work in the field of blockchain in healthcare is still in its early stages, relying on findings of partially funded pilot projects. 

Co-creating this solution using citizen scientists methodologies will ensure the Oromia community ways for thinking, learning and doing science are prioritised. Moreover the co-design process will ‘re-awaken’ and integrate time-tested long-standing Ethiopian scientific philosophy, culture and practices with western health research and health care practices.  

The Oromia people have a rich cultural heritage, with unique customs, traditions, and social norms that shape their way of life. Their cultural practices often emphasize communal values, collective decision-making, and respect for elders and community leaders. Additionally, traditional healing methods and indigenous knowledge systems play a significant role in healthcare-seeking behavior among the Oromia community.

In co-designing technology with the community, it's essential to engage community members, leaders, and local stakeholders in the design process. This participatory approach ensures that the solution reflects the cultural context, addresses community priorities, and integrates traditional healing practices where appropriate.

The technology includes Blockchain, SQL Server, FHIR Standards, openEHR, Smart Contracts and GS1 technologies to support safe data access, encrypted database features, data management and data interoperability for the specific healthcare domain, text mining and statistical analysis software technology, artificial intelligence (AI), standards based reporting, audit trails and consent protocols and mainstream business intelligence and data visualization tools.

In addition, it is important to emphasize that blockchain technology enables and supports several key features in the QFH platform: (1) data security and privacy; (2) data control and sharing; and (3) incentives, rewards, and tokens, which enables individuals to be rewarded for sharing data for public health initiatives, drug development and research and health behaviour rewards.

We are currently working with academic partners, RMIT University in Australia to establish the technical feasibility of our solutions. Combining the healthcare and technology expertise of the QFH team and RMIT University, we are able to jointly provide a high-quality contribution to the field of learning and science. 

By co-designing technology with the Oromia community and integrating cultural practices and values into the solution, we ensure that our technology solution is not only effective but also respectful of the community's cultural heritage. This approach enhances the relevance, acceptance, and impact of the technology solution, ultimately leading to improved healthcare outcomes for the Oromia people in Ethiopia.

1. Full-time staff:

• Lea Dias - Quaefacta Health
• Joel Berniac - Quaefacta Health
• Kume Chibsa - AfroValley
• Solomie Jebassa Deibessa - AfroValley

2. Part-time staff: None specified.

3. Contractors and Consultants

Saaragh Technologies https://saaragh.com/

Partnering with Saargh Technologies, Singapore, to build intelligent, data driven, and scalable applications including a COVID mobile application and a Patient Health Record prototype for monitoring patient health. 

4. Partners

• Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University, Melbourne, Australia
• Ethiopian Agricultural Transformation Agency (ATA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Jimma University (JU), Jimma, Oromia Region, Ethiopia 
• Adama University (AU), Adama, Ethiopia 
• Bule Hora University (BHU), Oromia Region, Ethiopia 

Over 1-2 years

At Quaefacta Health (QFH), diversity is not just a buzzword – it's a fundamental aspect of who we are as a team and how we approach our work. Our commitment to diversity encompasses various dimensions, including gender diversity, expertise diversity, and cultural diversity, reflecting our belief that innovation thrives in an environment that values and embraces differences.

Gender Diversity: QFH is proud to be a women-led health technology startup. Our founder and Technology Director, Lea Dias, exemplifies our commitment to gender diversity, bringing her expertise in pharmacy health practice and digital health strategy to the forefront. Additionally, our team includes a diverse mix of women in leadership and technical roles, ensuring that diverse perspectives drive our decision-making processes and shape our solutions.

Expertise Diversity: Our team boasts a rich tapestry of expertise spanning pharmacy health practice, pharmaceuticals, IT, digital health, and business development in the pharma/biotech sector. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to leverage a wide range of skills and perspectives to address complex challenges in healthcare innovation. From leveraging blockchain technology to designing user-friendly digital health platforms, each team member brings a unique skill set to the table, contributing to our collective success.

Cultural Diversity: At QFH, we celebrate cultural diversity as a source of strength and innovation. Our team members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Indian-Australian, Ethiopian, French Caribbean (Martinique), and American. This diversity enriches our collaborative efforts and allows us to better understand the needs and preferences of diverse communities, both locally and globally. By embracing cultural diversity, we foster creativity, empathy, and inclusivity in everything we do.

Beyond our team's diversity, QFH's solutions are rooted in community engagement and co-creation. We recognize the importance of engaging with end-users – the individuals and communities directly impacted by our solutions – to ensure that our products and services meet their unique needs and preferences. Through interviews, ethnographic research, and collaboration with "Citizen Scientists" and community leaders, we gather insights, feedback, and suggestions to inform the design and implementation of our solutions.

For this project, we are particularly focused on engaging cultural and community leaders to co-design and implement solutions that address the healthcare disparities faced by underserved populations, such as the Oromio community in Ethiopia. By involving stakeholders at every stage of the process, we not only ensure the relevance and effectiveness of our solutions but also foster ownership and buy-in within the communities we serve.

In summary, diversity is at the heart of everything we do at QFH. From our women-led leadership team to our diverse expertise and cultural backgrounds, we leverage our differences as a source of strength and innovation. By embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion, we create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all team members feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in healthcare innovation.

Quaefacta Health's business model is structured to deliver value to both its users and stakeholders while ensuring the sustainability and growth of the organization. At its core, the business model operates on a dual front, catering to both individual consumers (B2C) and entities within the healthcare ecosystem such as healthcare providers, payers, pharmaceutical companies, policymakers, and patients (B2B).

QFH Digital Health Platform offers the following:

1. B2C Segment: Consumer Freemium Subscription Model

The B2C segment of Quaefacta Health's business model revolves around offering a Patient Health Record (PHR) platform to individual consumers. This platform serves as a comprehensive repository for personal health data, empowering users to manage their health information effectively. 

i) Free Subscription Tier:

• Users have access to basic features of the PHR platform, a Digital Health Wallet (DHW) without any cost. This includes functionalities such as vaccination information, disease monitoring, medication details, chronic disease management tools, and basic chat forums.
• By offering essential services for free, Quaefacta Health aims to democratize access to healthcare information and encourage widespread adoption of its platform among users.

ii) Premium Subscription Tier:

• Users can upgrade to the premium subscription tier to unlock advanced features and services offered by the PHR platform. These premium features include AI-driven disease detection, prevention, and treatment recommendations, telehealth services, disease-specific information and support, and participation in the patient research portal.
• Premium subscribers pay a recurring subscription fee to access these enhanced functionalities, which provide greater convenience, personalization, and value-added services to users.

2. B2B Segment: Healthcare Provider (HCP) Product

In addition to serving individual consumers, Quaefacta Health offers a suite of products and services tailored to meet the needs of healthcare providers within the B2B segment. 

i) Features and Services:

• The HCP product offers a comprehensive set of tools and functionalities designed to streamline healthcare delivery, enhance patient care, and improve operational efficiency. 
• Healthcare providers pay monthly subscription fees and product licensing costs to access these services, which are tailored to meet the specific needs and workflows of different healthcare settings.

3. B2B Segment: Payer, Pharma, Provider, Patients, Policymakers Portal

QFH Platform provides a centralized portal catering to stakeholders across the healthcare spectrum, including payers, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers. This portal serves as a hub for accessing real-world evidence, medical information services, public health data, and incentives programs.

i) Portal Features:

• The portal offers a range of features and services aimed at facilitating collaboration, research, and decision-making within the healthcare industry. These include access to real-world evidence generation, medical information services, public health data, and incentives programs aimed at promoting positive health behaviors and outcomes.
• Stakeholders pay subscription fees to access the portal and may also incur transaction fees for participating in research and incentives programs. 
• The incentives program offers various rewards, including health behavior vouchers, tokens, cryptocurrencies, or monetary rewards, to encourage participation and engagement.

Quaefacta Health has a comprehensive strategy in place to ensure its financial sustainability, leveraging a mix of revenue streams, fundraising efforts, and strategic partnerships, support contracts and creation of new revenue generating models and customized products for our clients. Our Nagaa Project will be implemented together with the support of Afrovalley, our research partners and corporate sponsors including Ethiopian Airlines. Here's how the organization plans to achieve financial stability.

Revenue Streams:

1. Subscription-Based Model: Quaefacta Health operates on a subscription-based model, offering premium services to both individual consumers and institutional clients within the healthcare ecosystem. Through subscription fees, the organization generates recurring revenue streams from users accessing its digital health platform, patient health record (PHR), and healthcare provider (HCP) products. These subscription fees provide a steady source of income to support ongoing operations and platform development. We have a subscription model for sales of our “naked app”, however we can whitelist or greylist our product for use in other markets outside of Africa.
2. Incentives Programs and Research Portals: Quaefacta Health monetizes its platform by offering incentives programs and research portals to stakeholders such as payers, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers. QFH charge transaction fees on token, cryptocurrency and monetary exchange across our Quaefacta Health platform. These entities pay subscription fees and transaction fees to access real-world evidence, medical information services, public health data, and incentives programs aimed at promoting positive health behaviors and outcomes. 
3. Consulting Services: Additionally, Quaefacta Health offers consulting services to assist healthcare organizations in implementing digital health solutions and integrating technology into their workflows. These consulting services generate revenue through service contracts with governments, healthcare providers, and other organizations seeking expertise in digital health strategy, implementation, and optimization.

Fundraising Efforts:

Grants and Donations: Quaefacta Health are actively seeks grants and donations from philanthropic organizations including Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Sanofi F, governmental agencies, private donors, to support its mission-driven initiatives and and implement programs aimed at improving healthcare outcomes globally. 

Currently we are applying for government grants through the Australian Research Council (ARC) together with RMIT University, Melbourne, Medical Research Future Fund, and for grants specifically pertaining to digital health solutions including National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).

Strategic Collaborations:

Partnerships and Alliances: Quaefacta Health collaborates with academic institutions, research organizations, government agencies, and industry partners to access additional funding, resources, and expertise. Corporate sponsorship and strategic collaboration include Ethiopian Airlines.

To date, QFH has raised AUD$85,000 from Australian sophisticated investors and entrepreneurs grants. Quaefacta Health’s core team also contributed $10,000 in capital and over 5,000 hours of in-kind contribution. 

In summary, Quaefacta Health's plan for achieving financial sustainability is grounded in a diversified revenue model, fundraising efforts, and strategic collaborations. The organization's ability to generate revenue, secure grants and donations, and establish consulting contracts demonstrates its successful execution of this plan and positions it for continued growth and impact in the digital health landscape.