Center for Health Market Innovations (CHMI)

Programs

Viva Afya (formerly Carego Livewell)

last updated Mar 27, 2013

Overview

Implementation Partner(s): 
Carego International
Legal Status: 
Private (for-profit)
Year Launched: 
2008
Stage: 
Existing/expansion stage
Income Level of Target Population: 
Bottom 20%, 20-60% (lower to lower-middle)

Funding

Primary Source of Funding: 
Out-of-pocket payments
Additional Source(s) of Funding: 
Donor, Government, Out-of-pocket payments

Technology

Technology Used: 
Computer › Apps/Software
Technology Purpose: 
Improving Data Management › Data Organization/Analysis, Improving Diagnosis and Treatment

Scale

Number of Facilities Operated/Networked: 
3 Anchor Clinics and 3 Satellite Clinics.
Other Measures of Scale: 
In September 2011, LiveWell Clinics provided over 2,000 treatments to needy patients.
Summary: 

Viva Afya is a primary health care company in Kenya that uses a “hub-and-spoke” model to serve densely-populated, low-income areas. In this model a main clinic (hub) is supported by several electronically connected satellite clinics (spokes).

Program goals/rationale: 

Viva Afya aims to provide international standards of medical care at attractive prices to the people of Kenya. The main goal of remaining accessible is achieved by establishing their clinics in the strategic "hub-and-spoke" configuration.

Key program components: 

The first clinic opened in 2008 in Kayole, a densely populated low income suburb on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya.

The Anchor / Hub:
As of March 2011, Viva Afya has established one Anchor Clinic or "hub", managed by an experienced licensed and fully qualified medical doctor. The Anchor Clinic also has a well stocked pharmacy run by a pharmacist and a diagnostic laboratory run by a licensed laboratory technician. The Anchor Clinic is fully automated to reduce waiting times, and provides consultation, diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of illnesses. The charges are competitive and the facility is open seven days a week and until 8pm on weekdays.

The Satellite / Spoke:
As of March 2011, there were three Satellite Clinics (the "spokes"), which serve the community needs for primary care. These clinics are run by qualified Clinical Officers and Registered Nurses. In addition to consultation services, these outlets run weekly 'Well Mother and Well Baby' clinics at minimal charges. They are electronically linked to the Anchor Clinic for medical referrals, officers and nurses at the Satellite Clinics can seek advice from doctors at the Anchor Clinic through telephone and instant messaging.

Innovative Services:
Viva Afya, in conjunction with several micro-finance organizations, offers “Bundled Services” for safe motherhood, well-baby, diabetes and hypertension. This means that someone can come to the clinic and, for one low payment, have access to care for one of these issues for an entire year.

Technology:
Viva Afya uses of two main types of technology: an electronic medical record system (EMR system) and an Early Detection and Prevention System (EDPS). The EMR system allows the Satellite Clinics to send patient information to Anchor Clinics and its interoperability allows records to be transferred in from outside of the Viva Afya network. The EDPS is a software that can diagnose and suggest treatment for 315 different diseases. In March 2011, Viva Afya was in the process of making the EDPS accessible by mobile phone.

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