Innovative Franchising and a Market-Based Approach Makes Health Services Accessible in Rural Ghana

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 16, 2016 /3BL Media/ – Business and operational skills prove to be a vital and diverse element in addressing health services and information challenges in Accra, Ghana.  The US Agency for International Development (USAID) Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP) II brings this diverse element to bear through its Global Health Corporate Champions, a multi-company cohort of business professionals on the ground in Accra, Ghana, serving local clients like HealthKeepers Network (HKN).

HKN, a USAID grantee, uses a franchising model to bring innovative and market-based solutions to the fight against diseases, chronic hunger, and poverty. HKN is one of three local clients being served by the Global Health Corporate Champions, which is one example of the power of cross-sector collaboration among the public, private, and social sectors.

“Bringing business operational skills into the field of global health is an important element of diversity, and that’s why I am excited to see Global Health Corporate Champions address the sustainability of a program that serves the immediate and emerging global health needs of rural Ghana,” said Sharon Rudy, Director, GHFP-II. “USAID makes this possible by providing the underlying support through the Global Health Fellows Program II while the corporate partners provide the generous pro bono support. It really is a mini public-private-partnership (PPP) in action.”

Tweet this: “Partnership addresses #GlobalHealth challenges w/ #GHCCGhana @healthkeepersgh @USAIDGH @GHFPII @PYXERAGlobal http://bit.ly/23gd6IJ ”

A team of three Global Health Corporate Champions from three different companies--Thomas Lyall from the Dow Chemical Company, Tim Quagliarello from PIMCO, and Carl Hanna from PwC--are sharing their expertise to help HKN re-think its business model. Located in Accra, Ghana, HKN uses a unique approach to provide solutions to basic health needs in rural areas and provide jobs for women. The perspectives and expertise of the pro bono consultants will help HKN reimagine how the organization empowers the local community through health services and information.

“HealthKeepers Network was created to fill the health services and information gap in Ghana,” said Daniel Mensah, Executive Director for HealthKeepers Network. “Together with the Global Health Corporate Champions we can proactively create a sustainable business model so we can continue to serve the community in years to come.”

HealthKeepers is a micro-franchise program that applies tested business methods to provide poor rural communities with access to affordable health care products, services, and information. The program is modeled after a door-to-door sales approach, in which a neighborhood woman becomes the local sales representative, or a HealthKeeper, for a line of health products and services. The HealthKeepers go the last mile—right to the door step—to sell the basic health-promoting products in their communities, right from a basket on their heads. As the franchisor, the HKN provides the franchisees with training on how to manage simple ailments of common occurrence, sales, health promotion, and health products among others.

About Global Health Fellows Program (GFHP) II
@GHFPII

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP) II is USAID’s premier fellowship program that identifies and supports diverse, technically excellent professionals at all levels to achieve the Agency’s health priorities. USAID Global Health Bureau leverages GHFP-II to address its immediate and emerging human capital needs to support and sustain the effectiveness of its current and future health programming. As new global health challenges emerge and complex initiatives are created to meet them, the ability to respond effectively is critical. GHFP-II is implemented by the Public Health Institute and its partners Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International, and PYXERA Global.

About PYXERA Global
@PYXERAGlobal

For more than 25 years, PYXERA Global has leveraged the unique strengths of corporations, governments, social sector organizations, educational institutions, and individuals to enhance the abilities of people and communities to solve complex problems and attain mutually beneficial goals.

The PYXERA Global team is passionate and dedicated to navigating challenges and pinpointing purposeful global engagement opportunities for its clients and partners. Initiatives include a wide range of services from local content development to global pro bono programs and integrated community development efforts that transform lives and livelihoods.

Contact: Katie Levey
Director of Media Relations, PYXERA Global
klevey@pyxeraglobal.org
917.593.1989