Walk-in clinics.Two contemporary retailing ideas are making healthcare distribution in parts of Africa more effective. Both programs are in the development stage, and both are showing signs of success.The first idea borrowed from current retail practice is franchising. A posting on the Forbes Magazine (New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of ) website on October 11, 2007 features an idea originated in 1997 by a lawyer from the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the posting, the lawyer was travelling through Kenya and observed that basic healthcare needs--especially in rural areas--were not being met. Specifically, available generic drugs generic drug, a drug sold or prescribed under the nonproprietary name of its active ingredients or under a generally descriptive name rather than under a brand or trade name. , used to treat common problems in Kenya, were not getting to consumers who needed them the most. The medical problems were not exotic and did not require the intensely specialized care physicians in a fully operational modern hospital could provide. Another critical observation was that "government clinics often ran out of drugs because of supply-chain problems, while roadside shops sold elixirs of dubious quality." One of the elements that makes franchising successful in developed economies is that the franchise model establishes and maintains standards using a system of controls that are easily communicated, learned, and reviewed on a periodic basis. A foundation was established to subsidize sub·si·dize tr.v. sub·si·dized, sub·si·diz·ing, sub·si·diz·es 1. To assist or support with a subsidy. 2. To secure the assistance of by granting a subsidy. "nurses in rural areas to run 65 for-profit retail clinics in Kenya that provide basic treatments for malaria, respiratory infections Noun 1. respiratory infection - any infection of the respiratory tract respiratory tract infection infection - the pathological state resulting from the invasion of the body by pathogenic microorganisms and worms." The clinics are branded under a single name allowing consumers to become familiar with the high standards offered. In 2006, the clinics treated 400,000 patients. Many clinics, "are run by retired nurses lured back to work by the prospect of owning their own business." The cost of the franchise is approximately us$300.00, and medicine retails for about us$1.00. The foundation's goal is to expand to 225 clinics by 2011. The next target market is Rwanda. Meanwhile in Ghana nurses were also recruited for another healthcare distribution innovation. In 1996, 16 nurses agreed to move to separate rural villages where the villagers built homes for them. "Each was given a moped moped: see motorcycle. (financed by donors), antibiotics and other basic drugs." "By 2003 child mortality had declined from 17% to 7% as sick kids got prompt treatment for the first time; immunization immunization: see immunity; vaccination. rates soared to 80% from 30%." Ghana is moving toward a nationwide rollout. CONSUMER MARKET INSIGHTS: |
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