Health in Fragile Contexts Challenge
Healthcare where no one else will go
What is the name of your solution?
Healthcare where no one else will go
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
Our trained health workers sell health care products and educate their customers from their own mini-pharmacies. Thanks to the efforts of these passionate entrepreneurs, isolated villages transform into strong, healthy, well-informed communities.
What specific problem are you solving?
The organization Healthy Entrepreneurs is dedicated to solving the problem of limited access to basic healthcare in remote and isolated villages, particularly for the poorest individuals who lack quality medicines, health products, and education. This problem affects over 2 billion people worldwide living in remote or isolated areas who struggle to obtain essential healthcare services.
The scale of the problem is significant, both in the communities where Healthy Entrepreneurs operates and globally. In the communities they work in, access to basic healthcare is severely limited due to geographic isolation and lack of infrastructure. People living in these areas face significant challenges in accessing medical care, including the lack of healthcare facilities, trained medical professionals, and affordable medicines.
Globally, the issue of limited healthcare access in remote communities is a widespread concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around half of the world's population lacks access to essential health services, with many living in remote or underserved areas. This lack of access leads to increased morbidity and mortality rates, especially among vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women.
Several factors contribute to the problem of limited healthcare access in remote communities, which directly relate to the solution provided by Healthy Entrepreneurs. First, the geographic isolation of these communities makes it challenging to establish traditional healthcare infrastructure, including hospitals and clinics. Moreover, the distance to products and services exacerbates the vulnerability of these populations, as they often have limited transportation options.
Additionally, a lack of knowledge about health and healthcare options hinders individuals from making well-informed decisions about their own health and the health of their children. This knowledge gap further perpetuates the reliance on ineffective or counterfeit medicines obtained through the local black market.
Healthy Entrepreneurs addresses these challenges through its last-mile distribution model. By training and empowering local entrepreneurs, the organization ensures that essential healthcare products and services reach remote communities efficiently and effectively. These entrepreneurs act as vital intermediaries, bridging the gap between the isolated communities and the necessary healthcare resources.
Through this model, Healthy Entrepreneurs has demonstrated that medical care in remote areas is not only possible but also more affordable, effective, and sustainable. By leveraging the existing infrastructure and local knowledge, the organization creates a network of entrepreneurs who provide essential medicines, health products, and education to their communities.
The impact of Healthy Entrepreneurs' approach is profound. By improving access to basic healthcare, the organization contributes to reducing morbidity and mortality rates in remote communities. It also empowers individuals by providing them with the knowledge and resources necessary to make informed decisions about their health. Ultimately, Healthy Entrepreneurs' solution has the potential to transform the lives of millions of people globally who currently lack access to essential healthcare services.
What is your solution?
At Healthy Entrepreneurs, our solution is a last-mile distribution model that aims to improve access to basic healthcare in remote and isolated communities. Our approach is simple yet effective: we train and empower local entrepreneurs to become healthcare providers in their own communities.
So, what does our solution do? It enables individuals in remote areas to have access to essential healthcare products, services, and education through a network of local entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs act as the crucial link between the isolated communities and the necessary healthcare resources.
Here's how it works: We identify individuals within the communities who have the potential and willingness to become entrepreneurs. We provide them with comprehensive training on healthcare delivery, product knowledge, business skills, and basic healthcare education. Armed with this knowledge, they become equipped to address the healthcare needs of their communities.
These local entrepreneurs set up small healthcare kiosks or mobile units, which serve as accessible points of contact for the community members. They stock a range of essential medicines, health products, and educational materials. By leveraging our supply chain network, we ensure a consistent and reliable supply of quality healthcare products to these entrepreneurs.
The local entrepreneurs not only provide the necessary healthcare products but also play a crucial role in educating the community about basic health practices and preventive measures. They become trusted sources of information, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Our solution relies on technology to support the last-mile distribution model. We utilize a digital platform that facilitates inventory management, supply chain logistics, and communication between the entrepreneurs and our central team. This platform streamlines operations and ensures the efficient delivery of healthcare products and support services to the entrepreneurs.
By implementing this solution, we have made significant strides in improving access to healthcare in remote communities. We have demonstrated that medical care in these areas is not only possible but also more affordable, effective, and sustainable. Our approach has positively impacted the lives of millions of individuals who previously struggled to obtain basic healthcare services.
To get a better sense of how our solution works in practice, I invite you to watch our video. This video provides a visual demonstration of how our local entrepreneurs set up their healthcare kiosks, interact with community members, and utilize our digital platform to manage their operations effectively.
In summary, Healthy Entrepreneurs' solution is a last-mile distribution model that empowers local entrepreneurs to provide essential healthcare products, services, and education in remote communities. Through training, supply chain support, and the use of technology, we bridge the gap between isolated communities and the healthcare resources they need. Our solution is making a tangible difference in improving access to healthcare, and we are committed to expanding our impact further.
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
At Healthy Entrepreneurs, our solution directly serves and aims to meaningfully improve the lives of individuals in remote and underserved communities across five countries: Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Burundi, and Burkina Faso. Our target population includes those who currently lack access to basic healthcare products, services, and education.
These communities are often located in remote or isolated areas, where the availability of healthcare facilities and trained medical professionals is limited or nonexistent. The individuals living in these communities face significant challenges in obtaining essential healthcare, resulting in poor health outcomes and reduced quality of life.
Currently, they are underserved in multiple ways. Firstly, they lack access to quality medicines and health products due to the absence of nearby pharmacies or clinics. This leads to a heavy reliance on the local black market, where expensive medicines are often counterfeit or of substandard quality. As a result, the individuals' health needs are not adequately addressed, and they may suffer from preventable diseases and health complications.
Moreover, these communities often lack healthcare education, which leaves them uninformed about basic health practices and preventive measures. Without the necessary knowledge, individuals are unable to make informed decisions about their health and the well-being of their families.
Our solution directly addresses the needs of this underserved population by training and empowering local entrepreneurs to become healthcare providers in their own communities. These entrepreneurs, equipped with knowledge and resources, set up mini-pharmacies or mobile units where they sell healthcare products and educate their customers.
Through the efforts of these passionate entrepreneurs, isolated villages transform into strong, healthy, and well-informed communities. They become the vital link between the underserved population and the essential healthcare resources they require. These entrepreneurs provide access to quality medicines, health products, and education, enabling community members to address their healthcare needs effectively.
By improving access to basic healthcare, our solution has a profound impact on the lives of the individuals we serve. Firstly, it will contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality rates in these communities, as individuals will have access to essential medicines and healthcare products to treat and prevent diseases.
Additionally, our solution empowers individuals by providing them with healthcare education. By increasing their knowledge about health practices and preventive measures, community members can make informed decisions about their own health and well-being. This knowledge empowers them to take proactive steps to maintain good health and prevent illnesses.
Furthermore, our solution has a broader socio-economic impact. As individuals in these communities receive better healthcare and education, their overall productivity and quality of life improve. Healthy individuals can actively contribute to their families and communities, leading to economic growth and social development.
How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?
At Healthy Entrepreneurs, our team is uniquely positioned to design and deliver our solution because we have deep proximity to the communities we serve. We believe in a community-driven approach, and our team members are directly representative of these communities. We have a strong understanding of community needs and are actively engaged in incorporating community input, ideas, and agendas throughout the design and implementation process.
All of our team members live in the countries we serve. This proximity allows us to have firsthand experiences and insights into the challenges faced by individuals in remote communities. We are not outsiders imposing solutions but rather individuals who have grown up in these communities or have lived among them for an extended period. This closeness to the target population enables us to have a deep understanding of their unique circumstances, cultural nuances, and healthcare needs.
A key aspect of our approach is the involvement of community workers living in rural areas. We conceptualize them as leaders of Healthy Entrepreneurs. These community workers are intimately familiar with the challenges and aspirations of their communities. They play a crucial role in guiding and shaping our solution, ensuring that it is responsive to the specific needs and contexts of the communities.
To understand the needs of those we serve, we conceptualize the leader of the leaders of the organization to be the community health workers that are trained to provide services. The leaders live in and actively engage with the community through a participatory approach. We conduct extensive consultations, focus group discussions, and interviews with community members, local leaders, and healthcare providers. This process allows us to gain valuable insights into healthcare challenges, aspirations, and priorities.
Throughout the development and implementation of our solution, we continuously seek community input and feedback. The entrepreneurs live in the community and actively involve underrepresented community members in decision-making processes, including the selection and training of local entrepreneurs. Their perspectives and ideas are integral to shaping the design, functionality, and sustainability of our solution. Over half of our entrepreneurs are women.
By engaging the community as partners, Healthy Entrepreneurs ensures that solutions are meaningful and relevant. Community leadership and input guides the development of training programs, the selection of healthcare products, and the content of healthcare education materials. Healthy Entrepreneurs recognizes the communities themselves are the experts on lived healthcare realities.
Furthermore, we establish ongoing channels of communication with the communities we serve. We have open lines of dialogue to receive feedback, address concerns, and adapt our approach based on changing needs. This iterative process allows us to continuously improve our solution and ensure its effectiveness and long-term impact. Proximity has been key to the success of Healthy Entrepreneurs.
Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
Increase local capacity and resilience in health systems, including the health workforce, supply chains, and primary care services
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Kampala
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
What is your solution’s stage of development?
Growth: An organization with an established product, service, or business model that is rolled out in one or more communities
How many people does your solution currently serve?
As a team, we at Healthy Entrepreneurs have reached over 5 million families living in five African countries, serving in Sub-Saharan Africa with affordable last-mile provision of health services over the past years. We have proven that the combination of an efficient supply chain, the use of customer-friendly technology, and the collaboration with community health entrepreneurs can lead to significant improvements in rural healthcare. The WHO has listed us in their top-10 of most promising innovations for primary healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa.
We have trained 9,599 Community Health Workers (CHEs) and served 290,445 households. We have distributed nutritional products for diarrhoea and deworming to 401,325 households, and fever treatments to 23,441. We have provided curative products for pneumonia to 23,441 households, and preventive treatments like Zinc/ORS to 48,185 households. We have distributed 819 family planning products, 20,100 private sector condoms, and 7,398 contraceptive pills. We have given hygiene and sanitation products to 100% of the households we have served.
We have also empowered CHEs by providing sustainable and scalable renumeration models. The entrepreneurial approach we take provides CHEs with the incentives, products, and equipment that improve and sustain their functioning, which has significantly increased retention, motivation, and self-esteem. Our experience with highly motivated community health workers has resulted in a retention rate of over 80% over the last 5 years.
In addition to these accomplishments, we have also undertaken several projects to further improve healthcare in Africa. For example, we trained CHEs to offer HIV self-test services in Kyegegwa, Nakaseke, and Kyankwanzi. We have onboarded 4,094 new CHEs in Bukedea, Isingiro, Kasese, Kikuube, Bugiri, Mayuge, Sembabule, Kayunga, Nakasongola, Luwero, Namayingo, Kween, Kazo, Kiruhura, Ntungamo, Soroti, Pallisa, Ngora, Lira, Arua, Masindi, and Kiryandongo. We also offer high-level training to community health entrepreneurs, guided by the Ministry of Health, in line with the national clinical guidelines, to provide hypertension and diabetes screening and offer treatment services through teleconsultation.
Finally, we have also embarked on an Ebola emergency response campaign to support the Ministry of Health's efforts to curb down and arrest the spread of the outbreak in Kassanda and Mubende. We provided CHEs with free chlorine for sanitizing with Ebola prevention fact sheets, ensured the supply of essential products to our CHEs, and mapped out traditional healers. Our goal is to provide diabetes hypertension services to 400 patients by the end of 2023.
Why are you applying to Solve?
We are applying to Solve because we believe in the power of collaboration and partnership to amplify the impact of our solution. While we recognize that Solve is not solely a funding platform, we see it as an opportunity to access a diverse network of partners who can provide the necessary financial, technical, legal, cultural, and market support to overcome the barriers we face.
One specific barrier we face is the need for financial resources to scale and expand our operations. As an organization committed to serving underserved communities, we operate in resource-constrained environments where funding is often limited. We hope that Solve can connect us with potential investors, philanthropic organizations, and impact investors who understand the value of our solution and are willing to provide the necessary financial support to accelerate our growth.
In addition to financial barriers, we also encounter technical challenges. We aim to leverage technology to enhance our last-mile healthcare delivery, improve supply chain efficiency, and enhance data management. However, we require technical expertise and support to optimize our technology infrastructure, develop data analytics capabilities, and ensure the security and scalability of our digital platforms. Solve's network of experts and partners can help us overcome these technical hurdles by providing guidance, mentorship, and access to relevant resources and expertise.
Furthermore, navigating legal and regulatory landscapes in multiple countries can be complex and time-consuming. We seek support in understanding and complying with local regulations, licensing requirements, and legal frameworks. Solve can connect us with legal experts and advisors who can provide guidance on these matters and help us navigate the legal complexities of operating in diverse jurisdictions.
Cultural barriers and community engagement are also crucial aspects of our work. Understanding the cultural context, beliefs, and practices of the communities we serve is vital to design and implement effective healthcare solutions. Solve's network can help us connect with local community leaders, cultural experts, and organizations that can guide us in culturally sensitive approaches and ensure that our solutions align with the specific needs and values of the communities we work with.
Lastly, accessing and penetrating new markets can be challenging. Solve's platform can provide us with visibility and exposure to potential partners, collaborators, and market opportunities. By showcasing our solution to Solve's network of stakeholders, we hope to attract partnerships, collaborations, and market access that can help us scale our impact and reach even more underserved communities.
In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Joost Van Engen and Terek Hunter
What makes your solution innovative?
Healthy Entrepreneurs' solution is innovative in its holistic approach to tackling the health challenges faced by rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our solution combines efficient supply chain management, customer-friendly technology, and the collaboration of community health entrepreneurs (CHEs) to provide affordable, last-mile provision of health services to over 5 million families in five African countries.
Our approach addresses a range of health issues, including malaria, diarrhea, deworming, pneumonia, and family planning. We provide affordable treatments and preventive measures, such as malaria and fever treatments, zinc/ORS, and contraceptive pills. In addition, we offer teleconsultation services and training to CHEs to provide screening and treatment for non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes.
What makes our solution innovative is the emphasis on empowering CHEs to deliver quality health care services in their communities. We provide sustainable and scalable remuneration models that incentivize CHEs, improve their functioning, and increase retention rates. We also equip them with the necessary products and equipment to offer health services effectively.
Our solution catalyzes broader positive impacts by creating job opportunities and income for CHEs. By enabling CHEs to provide health services, we increase access to health care services in rural communities, which often lack adequate medical facilities. As a result, we contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 of ensuring good health and well-being for all.
Moreover, our approach has the potential to change the market by creating a sustainable and scalable model that addresses the challenges of rural health care delivery. Our emphasis on community-based health care delivery aligns with the WHO's primary health care approach, which advocates for the involvement of communities in health care service delivery. By emphasizing the use of technology and efficient supply chain management, we improve the efficiency and affordability of our health care services.
Our innovative solution also has the potential to impact policy change in the health sector. The WHO has listed Healthy Entrepreneurs in its top 10 of most promising innovations for primary health care in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our approach aligns with the WHO's recommendation for scaling up community-based health care delivery in rural areas.We believe that our solution has the potential to transform the health care delivery system in Sub-Saharan Africa and contribute to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, all rooted in goal three: Good Health and Well-Being.
What are your impact goals for the next year and the next five years, and how will you achieve them?
Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are centered around transforming the lives of underserved communities by improving access to healthcare, empowering local entrepreneurs, and achieving sustainable health outcomes.
In the next year, our key impact goals are as follows:
Expand Reach: We aim to increase the reach of our solution to new communities and regions, particularly in the countries we currently operate in, namely Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, and Burkina Faso. By establishing partnerships with local organizations and leveraging existing networks, we will identify and engage new community health entrepreneurs who can serve as catalysts for change in their respective areas.
Improve Health Outcomes: Our focus is on improving health outcomes within the communities we serve. We will work towards reducing the prevalence of diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and other common ailments through targeted interventions. This includes increasing the availability of preventive measures, ensuring prompt access to appropriate treatments, and promoting health education and awareness.
Strengthen Entrepreneurial Capacity: We are committed to empowering our community health entrepreneurs with the necessary knowledge, skills, and resources to run successful mini-pharmacies and deliver high-quality healthcare services. We will provide comprehensive training programs, ongoing mentorship, and continuous support to enhance their business acumen, product knowledge, and customer service skills.
Foster Sustainability: Sustainability is at the core of our approach. In the next year, we aim to strengthen the financial viability of our model by exploring innovative revenue generation strategies, including partnerships with public and private sector entities. This will ensure the long-term sustainability and scalability of our operations, enabling us to reach more communities and create a lasting impact.
Looking ahead to the next five years, our impact goals are more ambitious:
Scale and Replicate: Our vision is to scale our model and replicate our success in additional countries and regions beyond the initial five we currently serve. By leveraging our experience, best practices, and partnerships, we aim to expand our reach to reach millions more underserved individuals and communities across Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
Policy Advocacy and Collaboration: We will actively engage with policymakers, stakeholders, and international organizations to advocate for policies that support the integration of community-based healthcare solutions and the importance of last-mile delivery. We will collaborate with local governments and global health organizations to ensure that our impact is amplified and sustained at a systemic level.
Measurable Health Impact: We will continually measure and track our impact to ensure that our efforts are resulting in tangible health improvements. This includes monitoring key indicators such as reduced disease prevalence, increased access to essential medicines, improved maternal and child health outcomes, and enhanced overall well-being within the communities we serve.
Knowledge Sharing and Research: We will contribute to the global knowledge base by sharing our learnings, best practices, and research findings with the wider health and development community. We will actively participate in research collaborations, conferences, and knowledge-sharing platforms to advance the understanding of community-led healthcare models and their impact on underserved populations.
Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
How are you measuring your progress toward your impact goals?
At Healthy Entrepreneurs, we are committed to measuring our progress toward our impact goals to ensure that our efforts are making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. We utilize a range of indicators to track and evaluate our progress. Some of these indicators are already being collected and used to assess our solution's impact, while others are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that resonate with our mission. Our research partner is Erasmus University Rotterdam.
One of the key indicators we use to measure our progress is the knowledge level of the community members we engage with. Through our health education and awareness programs, we assess the increase in knowledge related to various health topics such as modern contraceptives, HIV, and water sanitation. We track the percentage of individuals who demonstrate an improved understanding of these topics, which provides insights into the effectiveness of our educational initiatives.
Another important indicator is the utilization of modern contraceptives. We monitor the percentage of individuals who adopt modern contraception methods after receiving information and access to these services through our community health entrepreneurs. This indicator is crucial for measuring our impact on promoting reproductive health and gender equality, both of which are aligned with the SDGs.
In addition, we track the use of improved water sources in the communities we serve. Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental aspect of ensuring health and well-being. By monitoring the percentage of individuals who have shifted to improved water sources, we can gauge the effectiveness of our efforts in promoting access to safe water and sanitation facilities.
Furthermore, we assess the availability and affordability of essential health products in the communities. We monitor the percentage increase in availability of these products, which includes medicines, contraceptives, and other necessary health commodities. By measuring the improved availability, we can evaluate our contribution to addressing the challenge of access to quality healthcare products, as well as the potential impact on reducing overall market prices, as indicated by the research conducted by Erasmus University Rotterdam.
To complement these indicators, we also consider broader socioeconomic outcomes. For instance, we analyze the economic empowerment of our community health entrepreneurs. We track factors such as increased income and job satisfaction among these entrepreneurs to assess the sustainability and scalability of our model. By monitoring these outcomes, we ensure that our solution not only benefits the communities but also provides economic opportunities and empowerment to the individuals driving the health entrepreneurship efforts.
To summarize, our approach to measuring progress incorporates indicators related to knowledge levels, utilization of modern contraceptives, access to improved water sources, availability of essential health products, and socioeconomic outcomes for community health entrepreneurs. These indicators help us evaluate the impact of our solution and ensure that we are effectively contributing to the SDGs. By monitoring and analyzing these indicators, we can continuously improve our efforts, make data-driven decisions, and demonstrate the positive change we are making in the communities we serve.
What is your theory of change?
Our theory of change is based on a logical framework that connects our activities to both immediate outputs and longer-term outcomes for our target population. By managing a fully integrated end-to-end supply chain, we ensure the availability of reliable and affordable healthcare products for our community health entrepreneurs, who act as the crucial link between our solution and the communities we serve.
The immediate outputs of our activities include the efficient distribution of essential health products to the entrepreneurs on site. Through our well-established distribution chain, we purchase high-quality products at affordable prices and deliver them directly to the entrepreneurs, ensuring a reliable supply of medicines and health commodities in remote areas.
These immediate outputs, in turn, lead to a range of longer-term outcomes for our target population. First and foremost, improved access to essential health products and education empowers individuals to make informed decisions about their health and that of their families. By increasing knowledge and awareness, we enable individuals to adopt preventive measures, seek appropriate healthcare when needed, and effectively manage common health issues.
Furthermore, our solution contributes to improved health outcomes within the communities. By providing access to quality medicines, contraceptives, and treatments, we address health challenges such as malaria, HIV, and other common ailments. This leads to reduced morbidity and mortality rates, improved overall well-being, and increased life expectancy.
In terms of poverty reduction, our theory of change highlights the role of entrepreneurship in creating sustainable economic opportunities. By equipping community health entrepreneurs with the necessary products, knowledge, and support, we enable them to establish their own mini-pharmacies and generate income for themselves and their families. This economic empowerment not only improves their quality of life but also has a ripple effect on the wider community, stimulating local economies and fostering financial stability.
To support the logical links between our activities, outputs, and outcomes, we rely on various sources of evidence. For instance, third-party research conducted by the Erasmus University Rotterdam has demonstrated the positive impact of Healthy Entrepreneurs in increasing knowledge, utilization of modern contraceptives, and availability of essential health products in the communities we serve. Additionally, we gather data through process evaluations, impact assessments, and interviews with our target population to continually assess and strengthen the connections between our activities and the desired outcomes.
Describe the core technology that powers your solution.
The core technology that powers our solution is a combination of customer-friendly technology, data management systems, and mobile applications. We leverage these technologies to enable the efficient and effective provision of healthcare products and services in underserved communities.
Our mobile application serves as a comprehensive platform that connects our community health entrepreneurs, customers, and the broader healthcare ecosystem. Through the app, our entrepreneurs can manage their mini-pharmacies, access real-time product information, track inventory, and place orders. Customers can use the app to browse available products, receive health education materials, and make purchases. This digital platform streamlines the entire supply chain, from product procurement to last-mile delivery, ensuring a seamless and transparent process.
In addition to the mobile application, we utilize data management systems to track and monitor key metrics related to health outcomes, product availability, and entrepreneurship performance. These systems enable us to collect and analyze data in real-time, facilitating evidence-based decision-making, identifying trends, and addressing any operational gaps. By harnessing the power of data, we continuously improve our solution's effectiveness and impact.
Furthermore, our technology infrastructure supports remote communication and training for our community health entrepreneurs. We provide ongoing mentorship and capacity-building programs through virtual platforms, allowing entrepreneurs to access training materials, participate in interactive sessions, and stay connected with our support team. This virtual support system empowers entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver high-quality healthcare services effectively.
While our core technology includes mobile applications and data management systems, we also recognize the value of traditional and ancestral knowledge systems. In some communities, we integrate traditional healing practices and local wisdom into our solution. By respecting and incorporating these cultural practices, we ensure that our solution is culturally sensitive and relevant to the communities we serve.
Overall, our core technology enables us to address the challenges of last-mile delivery and healthcare access in underserved communities. It streamlines operations, enhances communication, empowers entrepreneurs, and facilitates data-driven decision-making. By leveraging technology in this way, we can efficiently reach remote areas, provide essential healthcare products, improve health outcomes, and empower communities to lead healthier lives.
As we continue to innovate, we remain open to exploring emerging technologies and solutions that can further enhance our impact. We actively seek partnerships and collaborations to integrate technologies such as artificial intelligence, remote monitoring devices, and blockchain into our solution. By embracing both modern and traditional technologies, we aim to create a holistic approach that benefits people and the planet, while addressing the pressing healthcare challenges in underserved communities.
Which of the following categories best describes your solution?
A new business model or process that relies on technology to be successful
Please select the technologies currently used in your solution:
If your solution has a website or an app, provide the links here:
Healthy Entrepreneurs (@HealthyEnAfrica) / Twitter
In which countries do you currently operate?
In which countries will you be operating within the next year?
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
How many people work on your solution team?
15000
How long have you been working on your solution?
13
What is your approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into your work?
At Healthy Entrepreneurs, we recognize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our work to address healthcare challenges in underserved communities. We are committed to fostering a culture that values and celebrates diversity, ensures equitable access to opportunities, and creates inclusive environments for all team members and the communities we serve.
Leadership Diversity: Our leadership team is diverse, comprising individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We believe that diversity at the top is crucial for promoting inclusivity throughout our organization and decision-making processes. We actively seek leaders who bring unique insights and expertise, ensuring a variety of voices are represented in shaping our strategies and programs.
Goals for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: We have set clear goals to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. These goals include increasing representation of underrepresented groups, including women and individuals from marginalized communities, in leadership positions and key decision-making roles. We strive to build a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, ensuring our solutions are culturally sensitive and relevant.
Actions Taken: To achieve our diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, we have implemented several actions:
Recruitment and Hiring Practices: We have revised our recruitment and hiring processes to actively attract diverse talent. We promote job opportunities through channels that reach diverse communities and networks. Additionally, we have adopted blind resume screening and structured interviews to reduce bias and ensure fair evaluation.
Inclusive Workplace Policies: We have implemented inclusive policies that promote equal opportunities, fair treatment, and work-life balance for all team members. Our policies prohibit discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. We prioritize creating a safe and respectful work environment where everyone feels valued and heard.
Training and Education: We provide diversity and inclusion training for all team members to foster awareness, understanding, and empathy. This training helps cultivate a more inclusive culture by addressing unconscious biases, promoting respectful communication, and encouraging collaboration across diverse perspectives.
Community Engagement: We actively engage with the communities we serve to ensure their voices are heard and their unique needs are addressed. We involve community members in the design and implementation of our programs, leveraging their knowledge and expertise. This participatory approach allows us to co-create solutions that are contextually appropriate and effective.
By incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity into our work, we aim to create a more just and equitable healthcare system. We believe that by embracing diverse perspectives, fostering equal opportunities, and creating inclusive environments, we can better understand and address the healthcare challenges faced by marginalized communities.
We remain committed to continuous learning, improvement, and accountability in our journey toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that this work is ongoing and will require ongoing effort, and we are dedicated to driving meaningful change within our organization and the broader healthcare ecosystem.
What is your business model?
At Healthy Entrepreneurs, our business model revolves around providing last-mile healthcare services and products to underserved communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. We have developed a sustainable and impactful model that combines entrepreneurship, technology, and community engagement. Here is an overview of our business model:
Key Customers and Beneficiaries: Our key customers are the individuals living in remote and isolated villages in Sub-Saharan Africa who lack access to basic healthcare. These communities, particularly the poorest of the poor, are our primary beneficiaries. We aim to empower them by providing access to quality medicines, health products, and education.
Products and Services: We offer a range of essential healthcare products and services through our network of trained health workers, known as Healthy Entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs operate mini-pharmacies within their communities. They sell health care products, provide health education, and offer basic diagnostics. Our product portfolio includes medicines for common illnesses, contraceptives, nutritional supplements, hygiene and sanitation products, and more.
Service Delivery: Our last-mile distribution model is the backbone of our service delivery. We leverage an efficient supply chain to source reliable and affordable health products. These products are then delivered directly to our Healthy Entrepreneurs who serve as points of contact within their communities. Through their mini-pharmacies, they provide accessible and affordable healthcare solutions to community members. The entrepreneurs also play a crucial role in health education and counseling, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
Value Proposition: Our value proposition lies in bridging the healthcare gap in remote communities. By bringing essential health products and services to these underserved areas, we address the pressing needs of the population. We provide convenient access to quality medicines, reduce reliance on the black market for counterfeit drugs, and improve health literacy within the communities. Our model also creates economic opportunities for the local entrepreneurs who become catalysts for positive change within their communities.
Revenue Generation: Our revenue model is a combination of various income streams. We generate revenue through the sale of health products and services provided by our Healthy Entrepreneurs. We ensure that the products are priced affordably to cater to the financial constraints of the target population. Additionally, we explore partnerships, grants, and funding opportunities to support our operations and scale our impact.
In conclusion, our business model aligns the interests of the communities we serve, the local entrepreneurs, and our organization. By combining entrepreneurship, technology, and community engagement, we are able to create a sustainable and impactful solution that addresses the healthcare challenges faced by underserved populations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
What is your plan for becoming financially sustainable?
At Healthy Entrepreneurs, our plan for becoming financially sustainable involves a combination of revenue streams that align with our mission and goals. By diversifying our income sources, we aim to ensure long-term financial stability and sustainability. Here is an overview of our revenue model:
Sales of Health Products and Services: We generate revenue by selling a wide range of affordable health products and services through our network of trained health workers and mini-pharmacies. These products include essential medicines, nutritional supplements, hygiene and sanitation products, and more. By providing access to these products in underserved communities, we meet the health needs of the population while generating revenue.
Partnerships and Collaborations: We actively seek partnerships and collaborations with governmental organizations, NGOs, and private sector entities. Through these partnerships, we can secure service contracts, grants, and funding to support the expansion of our operations and reach more communities. We leverage these relationships to access resources, expertise, and funding opportunities that align with our mission and enhance our financial sustainability.
Social Impact Investments: We explore opportunities to attract social impact investments from impact investors, philanthropic foundations, and other sources. These investments allow us to scale our operations, strengthen our infrastructure, and expand our reach into new regions. By demonstrating our track record of social impact and financial viability, we aim to attract investors who align with our mission and recognize the potential for both social and financial returns.
Government Support: We actively engage with governments in the countries we operate to explore avenues for financial support. This can include securing grants, subsidies, or contracts for providing healthcare services or implementing health programs. By aligning our work with national health priorities and demonstrating our impact, we aim to establish partnerships with governments that provide financial support for our initiatives.
Donor Funding and Grants: We continue to pursue funding opportunities from donors, international development agencies, and foundations that support initiatives in the health sector. These grants and donations help us sustain our operations, fund specific projects, and invest in research and development. We actively seek out funding opportunities that align with our impact goals and allow us to reach underserved populations effectively.
Earned Income Activities: In addition to our core activities, we explore avenues for generating earned income through fee-for-service activities. This can include consulting services, training programs, capacity building initiatives, and knowledge sharing. By leveraging our expertise and knowledge, we create additional revenue streams that contribute to our financial sustainability.
By implementing this diversified revenue model, we aim to ensure that our income streams cover our operational expenses and enable us to invest in growth, innovation, and long-term impact. We continuously evaluate and refine our business model to maximize revenue generation while staying true to our mission of providing affordable healthcare solutions to underserved communities.
Solution Team
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Our Organization
Healthy Entrepreneurs