PharmAccess mobilizes public and private resources for the benefit of doctors and patients through clinical standards and quality improvements, loans for healthcare providers, health insurance, mHealth innovations and operational research.
Using mobile technology to break access and awareness barriers in hypertension and diabetes: that is what the new ‘Tiba Yako’ program strives for. The initiative, that uses the M-TIBA platform, was launched today in Nairobi, Kenya, by PharmAccess, together with Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies.
The Tiba Yako program screens and directly supports positively screened patients with awareness, access and adherence to diabetes and hypertension care. The mobile phone is the linking pin in this integrated approach.
Within the Tiba Yako program, M-TIBA will now also provide access to support for hypertension and diabetes care in the mobile wallets of low income patients, which they can use to co-pay for care at selected clinics in Nairobi, Kiambu and Vihiga Country.
The program allows patients to monitor their blood pressure and blood glucose levels at their convenience at home, digitally sending the results to their doctor for review. Combined with digital awareness and self-management support through the innovative app called Afya Pap, this integrated approach aims to increase symptom recognition and treatment adherence.
The high mobile penetration rates in Kenya – also amongst the low-income groups – creates massive opportunities for direct service and financing models. Mobile technology can be used to increase healthcare access for many who are currently underserved. Isaiah Okoth, Country Director- PharmAccess: ‘‘Digital technology enables directly supporting people to access care, and enables people to self-manage and control their disease from home. The Tiba Yako program supports hypertension and diabetes patients and enables them to take control of their own health’’.
