Winners
Meet the winners of USAID's Inclusive Health Access Prize!
The judging panel selected five winners from Cameroon, India, Nigeria, and Senegal that have developed solutions to optimize health systems so that people receive the health care they need in ways they trust without having to pay too much or travel too far. Each of these solutions has the potential to be adapted, replicated, or scaled to other countries or local contexts to meet priority health care needs.
On September 24, 2019, these five awardees won cash prizes for their solutions and had the opportunity to present them at Locally Leading The Way To UHC: USAID's Inclusive Health Access Prize in New York City. If you were unable to view the event, you may watch the video of the event here, access the fact sheet here, and access the palm cards here.
Find out more about the winners below.
GIC Med
In Cameroon, GIC Med improves women’s access to services they might not otherwise seek or receive by bringing breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment to public and private health centers. Using a portable microscope connected to a smartphone and telemedicine app, women are screened, diagnosed, and treated at rural public and private health centers that partner with GIC Med. If early stage lesions are detected, GIC Med provides treatment at the point of care using mobile treatment units. Women no longer have to travel far and make repeated trips to be screened, diagnosed, and treated, and are therefore more likely to access their care and seek additional health information.
Infiuss
Infiuss is an online blood bank and digital emergency supply monitor in Cameroon that provides hospitals and patients with more reliable access to blood. Many health care facilities in Cameroon lack blood banks and patients seldom know how to locate hospitals with an available supply. In addition, patients are required to have three back up donors accompany them to the health facility when getting a transfusion, and may have to pay more than $80 for a single bag of blood. To address this costly burden and provide more reliable access to blood supplies, Infiuss created a database with information on hospital blood banks that allows them to locate and transport blood to patients or hospitals in need. This saves the patient time and money, allowing them to get the health services they need more quickly and reliably. To access Infiuss’ services, patients send an SMS, make a phone call, or use a mobile application to request a blood type and quantity. Infiuss then locates the needed blood at a partner hospital and delivers it to the patient.
JokkoSanté
JokkoSanté is a health-focused digital payments app that improves accountability in the local health system in Senegal by tracking medicines and enabling payments for health services. The desktop and mobile app allows patients to earn “points” for turning in unused medicines rather than giving them to family members or friends, which has the potential to cause harm. NGOs, foundations, individuals (especially diaspora), and health programs can also purchase and designate online “points” for target populations. The recipients use the points to pay for medical and prescription needs in pharmacies. Individuals may microsave by purchasing points for themselves to ensure that when a medical need arises, they are able to afford care. JokkoSanté also brings greater accountability to the management of pharmaceuticals by tracking use of medicines and online prescriptions.
mDoc
In Nigeria, mDoc advances the accessibility and reliability of health care for people with a range of health conditions through a high-tech, high-touch mobile and web-based solution that provides personalized preventive and integrated care support. Individuals sign up to receive virtual and in-person services such as digital tools, nudges, and meetings that help them create and achieve their health goals. mDoc partners with a mix of public and private health care facilities to create a connected ecosystem of preventive and integrated care solutions for people with a range of health needs.
Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute
The Piramal Swasthya Management and Research Institute provides community outreach programs and telemedicine services that make health care more affordable and accessible to underserved and marginalized populations in India. Designed to complement the Government of India’s public health care system, their telephone-based “helpline” improves access to health information, including advice for minor ailments, and helps link health workers to underserved areas. Piramal Swasthya operates a mobile medical van with a basic laboratory and pharmacy that travels to rural areas to deliver primary care services, particularly on maternal, child, and adolescent health, as well as non-communicable diseases.
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