VillageReach’s hybrid, interdisciplinary approach brings a new set of tools to the fundamental problem of last mile healthcare access. VillageReach applies global health best practices in cold chain performance, supply chain logistics, and information management with an entrepreneurial view as to when private business could optimally fill critical infrastructure gaps.
The VillageReach model provides two interconnected solutions to strengthen health systems in isolated rural communities: a logistics and management platform that facilitates information management for health systems and a social business platform that launches social businesses to provide essential infrastructure services. VillageReach partners with governments, communities, and other organizations to provide innovative, efficient, and sustainable improvements to health systems in developing countries.
Logistics and Management Platform
VillageReach’s logistics and management platform improves cold chain performance, delivery of vaccines and other medical commodities, healthcare worker training and supervision, and information management for health systems.
Frequently, lifesaving vaccines and medical technologies that are readily available in urban areas never reach last mile communities because rural health systems are plagued by a lack of infrastructure, information, and resources that prevents access to remote communities. Additionally, many medical commodities, including vaccines, are temperature-sensitive and disruption of the cold chain regularly results in spoilage and waste. VillageReach aims to increase access to, trust in and quality of last mile health care by utilizing basic logistics and supply chain management practices in support of the health system.
By implementing its logistics platform through field programs, VillageReach has developed and refined a set of tools and methodologies to allow for efficient replication and customization of its model. These tools include a management information system (vrMIS) to track inventory of medicines and equipment and generate accurate, updated information about the needs of individual health centers and the communities they serve. This information enables medical supply distribution systems to increase their efficiency and become more effective in reducing diseases and death rates among the world’s most underprivileged.
Social Business Platform
The Social Business Platform launches social businesses that address gaps in community infrastructure.
Health systems and economies of many developing countries suffer from a lack of basic infrastructure. Essential services such as transportation, energy, and communications/IT are often inadequate to support health center operations, resulting in stock outs, unsanitary conditions, and a widespread lack of confidence in the health system.
VillageReach targets development of social businesses to fill infrastructure gaps and promote rural economic development. Social businesses are for-profit enterprises that provide a critical service needed by the health system and also fulfill demand by the local community in general. The creation of social businesses lowers the costs of VillageReach’s health strengthening programs as well as aiding development programs run by other agencies. Additionally, as social businesses become increasingly profitable they boost the local economy and attract the attention of investors seeking opportunities with financial and social returns.
