Submission ID 118487
| Issue/Objective | Homa Bay County, Kenya, faces significant health challenges, including a high HIV prevalence of 19.6% overall and 22.1% among women, alongside a teenage pregnancy rate of 33%. The county's vulnerable populations-low-income women, teenage mothers, and people with disabilities-are disproportionately affected by these health crises, often lacking access to quality healthcare services. The aim of this project was to harness innovation, technology, and frugal health solutions to improve healthcare access, particularly for marginalized groups in Homa Bay. The objective is to demonstrate how affordable, scalable technological interventions can bridge health gaps in low-resource settings and foster sustainable healthcare solutions. |
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| Methodology/Approach | This initiative focused on leveraging mobile health (mHealth) solutions, AI-powered diagnostics, and telemedicine to enhance healthcare access for underserved households in Homa Bay. A cohort of 350 women, teenage mothers, and individuals with disabilities was engaged in a 12-month pilot program, which provided AI-supported health consultations, mobile health tracking, and remote diagnostics. The program utilized cost-effective technologies, such as mobile phones for health monitoring and AI tools for basic diagnosis, and worked to build digital literacy in communities. Data analytics were used to optimize resource allocation and predict disease outbreaks. A mixed-methods evaluation, incorporating health data, participant surveys, and interviews, measured the impact on health access, economic resilience, and healthcare outcomes. |
| Results | The implementation of mobile health solutions led to a 45% increase in healthcare consultations among women, disabled individuals, and teenage mothers, particularly those in remote areas. AI-powered diagnostic tools reduced healthcare response times by 30%, improving early diagnosis of infectious diseases like HIV and malaria. The use of telemedicine allowed for a 60% reduction in travel time to health facilities, which is crucial in a region with poor road infrastructure. Additionally, 38% of participants reported better health outcomes due to increased access to timely care and disease prevention information. Resource optimization through data analytics reduced shortages of essential medicines by 25%, ensuring that marginalized communities had better access to vital healthcare supplies. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | This project demonstrates the transformative potential of frugal innovations and digital technologies in overcoming the healthcare challenges faced by marginalized populations in Homa Bay County. The results suggest that affordable, scalable digital health solutions can provide timely, equitable access to healthcare in resource-limited settings. Bridging the digital divide, particularly by building digital literacy and deploying low-cost technologies, is crucial for future-proofing healthcare delivery and ensuring sustainable health outcomes. The success of this initiative underscores the need for innovative, technology-driven solutions that empower vulnerable communities, particularly women and disabled individuals, to take charge of their health and well-being. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Charles Ngicho EmpowHER Kenya Maureen Akinyi Onyango empowHER Kenya |
