Primary Healthcare Research

Project Overview

Thrive Africa in partnership with MASTA Projects, developed PUSHA HEALTH, a community-driven initiative aimed at improving primary healthcare access by providing real-time information on medicine availability across different healthcare facilities. The goal was to reduce unnecessary travel and ensure patients can quickly find prescribed medicines, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Botswana.

Research Motivation

Many patients in Botswana struggle to find medications due to lack of information on which healthcare facilities have the necessary supplies. This leads to treatment delays, financial strain, and loss of trust in the healthcare system. By leveraging technology, PUSHA HEALTH seeks to bridge this information gap and improve overall healthcare accessibility.

Overview of Methodology

The project involves developing a system that tracks and updates medicine availability across multiple healthcare facilities. By providing patients with real-time data, the platform enables them to locate the nearest facility with the required medication, thus improving efficiency and reducing unnecessary movement.

Patients would use the app to access a Point of Access (POA) station, which is linked to a kgotla-based network (a traditional community gathering system). This network follows a star topology and a top-down communication model, allowing community leaders to efficiently link patients to the appropriate primary healthcare (PHC) services by consulting with healthcare professionals and facilities. The pharmacist and medical practitioner networks further streamline patient referrals and ensure efficient healthcare service delivery.

Overall, PUSHA HEALTH was developed to streamline access to medication, reducing the suffering and financial losses caused by unavailability. The initiative was created to enhance trust in healthcare services by ensuring patients can receive timely treatment, leading to better health outcomes and improved system efficiency. The kgotla-based network model strengthens community-driven healthcare solutions by integrating local leadership with digital innovation, fostering a more organized and accessible primary healthcare system.