Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

VillageReach

last updated Jan 6, 2012

Overview

Legal Status: 
Private (not-for-profit)
Year Launched: 
2002
Stage: 
Existing/expansion stage
Income Level of Target Population: 
All income levels

Funding

Primary Source of Funding: 
Donor
Additional Source(s) of Funding: 
Other 3rd party (e.g. debt, equity)
Funders: 
Bayview Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, BridgeWay Foundation, Flora Family Foundation , Getty Images, Mulago Foundation, PATH, Skoll Foundation, Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation, Thomas Hunter Foundation, World Bank: Development Marketplace

Technology

Technology Used: 
Phones

Scale

Scope: 
VillageReach has started providing consulting services to governments, and private clients on logistics, supply chain, and project structuring. The organization also provides clients with workshop and project structuring.
Summary: 

Village Reach is a program that strengthens health systems in developing countries by supporting and improving the health services already in place with a focus on service infrastructure, logistics, and support to the community health workers.

Key program components: 

Key program components include:

  • Improving service infrastructure. VillageReach improves service infrastructure by implementing a management information system to manage data processing, introducing an effective waste management system, outfitting health centers with alternative energy sources (such as propane-powered lamps and burners), providing radios to facilitate communication with the Ministry of Health and district hospitals, and providing bicycles and motorcycles for community outreach.

  • Supply chain management. VillageReach improves the overall functioning of the health system’s supply chain by tracking medical supplies to limit waste, improving forecasting and reporting throughout the entire supply chain, managing inventory, and maintaining equipment.

  • Community and health worker support. VillageReach supports community health workers by introducing supportive supervision and ongoing training at all levels of the health system. As part of this strategy, VillageReach introduces proper protocols and procedures for all staff and conducts trainings for logistics officers and pharmacists.

  • Data analysis. VillageReach recognizes that medical logistics and delivery systems require reliable data to make informed decisions and ensure quality services. In Mozambique, VillageReach implemented a system to track vaccine stockouts and engaged field staff in useful data analysis.

  • Social businesses. VillageReach establishes for-profit businesses that create positive social impact by filling critical infrastructure gaps. These businesses are not health care specific (such as propane providers and restaurants), but may be linked to the health system through contractual agreements that benefit the system while expanding their customer base. Social businesses become locally owned once they establish their commercial sustainability.

Additionally, VillageReach recently launched a case-mangement hotline to test how increased access to information and referrals for pregnancy and child health issues can improve maternal and child health. The project also launched a new tuberculosis program to improve the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis at the community and health facility level.

Additional Information

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