The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends one ultrasound scan before 24 weeks of pregnancy to help identify pregnancy outcome risks. However, diagnostic imaging is insufficiently available in rural and remote areas in low-resource settings. In several projects, Philips Foundation explores models to increase access to ultrasounds by task-sharing between locally operating midwives supported by sonographers at distance via telehealth.
In this project with Amref International University, we tested the viability of a sustainable income model for a social franchise of midwives offering pregnancy screening in primary healthcare facilities.
The main goals of the pilot was to analyze antenatal women's willingness to pay for an ultrasound, to examine the ability of midwives to become social entrepreneurs, and to test the viability of the proposed business case. To this end, the following intervention and activities were conducted: Based on these findings, the study explored a potential income model for midwives.
The training, implementation, and study of the project were successfully completed. Over the project period, more than 1,200 paid ultrasound screenings were conducted. The study confirmed women’s willingness to pay for the service, hence confirming the principal foundation for an income-based scalable model. Whether the length of time before they break even is sufficiently short to enable the midwife-based ownership model will strongly depend on utilization flows. The project led to valuable new insights that were disseminated through several peer reviewed publications, conferences and online webcasts.
Learnings and next steps
When 2019 - 2021
Status Concluded
Where
Kenya
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