WapiDoc

The Problem 

Most of the Kenyan health care providers are found in the established urban and peri-urban areas. A growing percentage of the Kenyan population is settling in upcoming estates in the peri-urban areas. To reach this population, new and existing health care providers are coming up within or in close proximity of these settlements. The planning for these services has however remained supply other than demand driven. This unsystematic growth and spread of services, providers and products, it has become difficulty for the user to negotiate through the healthcare industry. The provider is also unable to penetrate the market due to lack of visibility coupled with inadequate and inaccurate information.

Attempts to create demand has been based on snowballing model. This has often led to a skew towards social groups and family. To be visible and drive demand, health care providers have erected static advertisement in form of bill boards and signage on the roads and commercial buildings. The information is only visible to persons paying attention to the boards, at that particular moment which is usually limited. The information is further not targeted and presumed to reach the intended audience. Auditing the cost benefit analysis is therefore difficulty and it is difficulty to granulate growth to the advertisement.

There is a growing smart mobile phone penetration in the country. This has become a big source of information. The accuracy of such information is not guaranteed. This technology has however remained minimally tapped for marketing the right information for health services. Where available the services information is scattered and scanty.

Still, negotiation within the health systems to obtain the information needed is cumbersome. For example, you need to know at hand who, where or even when services are provided to get a search within the existing digital system. Even then, the information remains scanty and may require supplementation to be fully understood. Some of the few available platforms are limited in scope and their model is to own the client other than link them to the provider.

The feed-back loop for health systems has remained opaque. Whereas this is an important element for management to improve services, the consumer has not been part of the consumer of this data.

• Create an easy to negotiate one stop shop for health services, providers and products (HSSP)

wapiDoc is a directory of all health services, providers and products in Kenya. It provides a listing for all preventive, promotive, curative, diagnostic (laboratory, radiology), forensic, psychosocial, palliative, aesthetic, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, geriatric care, counselling, international health, insurance and rehabilitative services. The listing includes all cadres in the healthcare industry. wapiDoc lists all health care products including machines and equipment, pharmaceuticals and medical non-pharmaceutical commodities.

The interface with the client is user-friendly. It will allow searches using different prompts, redirect searches accordingly to allow maximum mining of available information while at the same time narrowing to information relevant to the original search. 

• Increase visibility of HSSP by increasing the number aware and can get accurate information on the HSSP

wapiDoc is a free application. It can be accessed both on browser and via mobile phone. A search on the wapiDoc app will provide information on services within stipulated locality. Information on the app regarding the said HSSP will be provided by the administrator of such HSSP entity and verified by the wapiDoc administrator. This two- staged verification process allows for authentication and minimizing of errors.  

• Have a platform with local identity and a national reach

wapiDoc is a phrase that resonates with Kenyans’ language, translated to mean “where is the doctor”. Whereas the search can be customized to the region of interest by the app user, its listing for all HSSP offered around the country makes it have a national reach.

• Link clients to HSSP targeted at them by providing customized information and searches

The wapiDoc search allows for localized searches by service, provider or product. It allows for use of different search prompts that accommodates “non-medical” locally adopted medical dialect which is ultimately direct the search appropriately. Multilevel search is also accommodated in the interface to allow for as customized a search as possible.  

The search will always give the HSSP provider nearest to the client. This ensures that the HSSP will be found by the client for whom they were set for in that locality. 

• Tap in to the growing IT permeability in the country to provide convenience and solutions in the hands of the client

wapiDoc has both browser and mobile phone accessibility. The app can be downloaded from the various digital platforms and be compatible with all smart phones makes in the country. All services will be internet based minimizing inconveniences and paperwork for the service provider.

• Allow client to give feed- back while permitting reviews and previews from current and potential clients to enable them make informed decision.

wapiDoc will provide for feed- back option that is available for viewing by current and potential clients. This is aimed at quality improvement. The app administrators will however closely follow and audit to ensure security of system and client from malice and prejudice.

• The platform also provides feedback to the HSSP provider through the backend dash board function to visualize the providers visibility in the market indicated by the number of searches both in the site and externally directed links. The dash board further provide an informed pattern for future locations driven by pictorial evidence of missing services against an increased search for service. It also provides comparative analysis against similar products and establishments. 

The primary target is the general population who will be able to access information on the platform to make decision on where to access services and products. However, the platform will also be useful for all health care industry users. Currently, the platform has more than 300,000 users and close to 300 health care providers.

The users will be from different quotas in the health industry. The manufacturer of products for example will be able to show case their products to users across the health spectrum to both their suppliers as well as end users. The suppliers will be able to also show the available products from different brands and pricing. The platform will show their location, and their business working hours and accompanying services.

Providers of services like hospital will be sources and consumers of information in the platform. They will on one hand be source of backend information that will be relayed to the general population regarding their services. On the other hand, they will also be able to access information on health care products, equipment and services that are used by their institutions. They will further be able to monitor vital metrics that will shape their service planning and implementation of health systems. Other benefits will include comparative analysis with peers.

• Leadership of the initiative constitute the team lead, a health systems specialist who is currently pursuing his doctorate in health systems management. Other key members are IT specialist, a software engineer, a communication specialist, community health specialist and a business management specialist.  
• Multiple and sustained visibility. The Health services provider will have a primary view under services search. Visibility will also be available from secondary linkages within the platform. As opposed to static forms of advertising, the application provides a one-entry multiple view model where it can be accessed as many times, at multiple location and even shared.
• Wide reach and scope. The application is available to persons in both formal and informal setups. The target is also double edged as the client and provider of HSPP can both be reached within the same platform. This is different from the traditional vertical system which targeted the client and provider independently.
• Digital presence and convenience: The application is internet based conforming with the digital era. more than 24 million Kenyans use smart phones. It will reach all persons in the digital platforms. The on-hand the platform allows for information access at the convenience of the application user. The single databank for HSPP allows for faster, easier and cheaper way of getting accurate and complete information.
• Congruency/ aligned thought flow: Introducing health information and other health related products to an individual already aligned and primed to health matters is easier that adhoc or abstract introduction. Persons visiting the application will already have health- oriented thoughts making them a better recipient of HSPP information than a person in a general social platform.
• Comparative and planning platform: those intending to take HSPP will have a bank of information to make informed decision. The platform offers accurate and adequate information on products and services. On the other hand, the providers have a dashboard for comparison with other HSPP providers as well as provide information on penetration of services as viewed by the client. Searches and enquiries made will provide for planning for future setups, target groups and populations. 

The biggest barrier is financial muscle to create visibility for the platform through available marketing channels. Availability of funds would enable marketing of the platform consistently on all available platforms. Secondly, since the platform is offered for free to the user and a subscription fee charged on the provider, support in marketing would enable the reduction of subscription fee. This would increase the number of providers on the platform, increasing concurrently available information and attracting more users. 

• Multiple and sustained visibility. The HSPP provider will have a primary view under services search. Visibility will also be available from secondary linkages within the platform. As opposed to static forms of advertising, the application provides a one-entry multiple view model where it can be accessed as many times, at multiple location and even shared.
• Wide reach and scope. The application is available to persons in both formal and informal setups. The target is also double edged as the client and provider of HSPP can both be reached within the same platform. This is different from the traditional vertical system which targeted the client and provider independently.
• Digital presence and convenience: The application is internet based conforming with the digital era. It will reach all persons in the digital platforms. The on-hand the platform allows for information access at the convenience of the application user. The single databank for HSPP allows for faster, easier and cheaper way of getting accurate and complete information.
• Congruency/ aligned thought flow: Introducing health information and other health related products to an individual already aligned and primed to health matters is easier that adhoc or abstract introduction. Persons visiting the application will already have health- oriented thoughts making them a better recipient of HSPP information than a person in a general social platform.
• Comparative and planning platform: those intending to take HSPP will have a bank of information to make informed decision. The platform offers accurate and adequate information on products and services. On the other hand, the providers have a dashboard for comparison with other HSPP providers as well as provide information on penetration of services as viewed by the client. Searches and enquiries made will provide for planning for future setups, target groups and populations. 

1. Increased access to health care information. People will be able to access accurate and timely information at the palm of their hands through the platform.
2. Better health seeking behavior. We believe that increased access to information will foster a culture of health seeking as the population will be more informed and empowered to make decisions.
3. Robust health care industry. Free flowing information will foster peer reviews and competitiveness to the benefit of the user.
4. Growth of health management industry. The health industry will have to embrace diversity in streamlining health care management with emerging digital world and be able to act decisively on feedback.

1. Persons able to access our platform and make a search for health care service.

2. Number of providers (and range of services) available on the platform.

3. Number of services registered on the platform and corresponding facilities offering them (including special cares)

4. Rating of services by users on the platform. This health care service sort was sought and a feedback was given. Monthly reports to the facility and recommendations therefrom.

Information incentivizes action;

The more people are informed on health care, the simpler the access of information is, the better their health care seeking behavior. Similarly, the more feedback providers get from the users, the more they are triggered to act towards their main goal of service to the people.  

The platform is currently web based, however, the wapiDoc app is already developed and approval is in the final stages for listing on google play store.

The platform will also accommodate the use of USSD code for the population that is not using smart phones

Our primary health care data is input by the health care providers themselves. They are enabled to create an account on the platform for which they are expected to "market" themselves to their potential clients by giving all information necessary for the client to select them as provider of choice.

The input data is verified by our agents to ensure accuracy and if any authority required has been sought and granted.

Feedback data is done by the users of the platform.

 Metrics are machine generated and reports done at the end of each month or agreed period with the subscribed facility.

Equity:  at wapiDoc, we believe no one shoe fits all and purpose to actively engage with different players in the health industry to eliminate barriers to opportunities

Diversity: wapiDoc recognizes that all of the ways in which people differ create crucial diversity of thought, ideas, perspectives and values, and as such we are able to consider how our own perspectives and biases impact our work, and learn how to actively seek out and learn from the voices of others

Inclusivity: we create an environment in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued to fully participate in the health industry. We allow everyone to bring their full, authentic selves to their work.