PlantPower Metrics

PlantPower Metrics empowers LMIC communities with data-driven insights on herbal alternatives, promoting responsible use alongside antibiotics. Through community engagement and education, we aim to mitigate antimicrobial resistance and improve health outcomes.

The Team Lead for our solution is Erica Mtaita, the CEO, responsible for overseeing the implementation and strategic direction of our initiative.

Our solution addresses the urgent problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), specifically focusing on the lack of effective surveillance and intervention strategies in low- and middle-income communities. Globally, AMR is responsible for approximately 1.27 million deaths annually, with estimates projecting this toll to rise significantly by 2050. In these communities, limited access to quality healthcare, misuse of antibiotics, and inadequate sanitation contribute to the spread of resistant bacteria. Our solution aims to fill this gap by harnessing the power of herbal remedies as alternatives to antibiotics, promoting community-level surveillance, and leveraging data analytics to inform policy and action. By integrating traditional knowledge with modern technology, we empower communities to address AMR and improve health outcomes. Through our initiative, we aim to mitigate the impact of AMR on vulnerable populations and contribute to global efforts to combat this growing public health threat.

PlantPower Metrics serves communities in low- and middle-income regions, particularly those facing challenges related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and limited access to quality healthcare. Our target audience includes individuals, families, and healthcare providers in these communities who are seeking effective and sustainable alternatives to antibiotics.

We aim to support our target audience by providing access to information and resources on herbal remedies, empowering them to make informed health decisions and reduce their reliance on antibiotics. To understand their needs, we engage directly with community members through participatory workshops, surveys, and focus group discussions. By actively involving them in the development and refinement of our solution, we ensure that PlantPower Metrics is tailored to their specific contexts and preferences. Through continuous engagement and feedback loops, we strive to create a solution that addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by communities affected by AMR.

PlantPower Metrics offers several public goods that contribute to the well-being of communities in LMICs while addressing the global challenge of AMR:

1. Open-source herbal remedy repository: This online database acts as a freely accessible repository of information on traditional herbal remedies gathered from diverse cultures. It empowers communities to explore plant-based alternatives and contributes to the global knowledge base on traditional medicine.

2. Community-generated data on herbal use: The platform facilitates the collection and sharing of anonymized data on community experiences with herbal remedies. This data, made publicly available through reports and open-access publications, contributes to ongoing research and knowledge sharing, benefiting global efforts to combat AMR.

3. Evidence-based advocacy resources: Through data analysis and insights, PlantPower Metrics aims to generate evidence-based reports and policy recommendations. These resources are intended to be freely available and contribute to informed decision-making by local and regional policymakers, promoting responsible integration of potentially effective herbal remedies alongside antibiotics within healthcare systems.

These public goods are globally accessible under fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory terms. The online platform, data, and advocacy resources are freely accessible to anyone with an internet connection, promoting knowledge sharing and equitable access to information.

PlantPower Metrics aims to create tangible impact for communities in LMICs struggling with AMR and limited access to quality healthcare, by:

Empowering informed decision-making: The platform educates communities about herbal remedies, fostering informed choices and potentially reducing reliance on unnecessary antibiotics.

Generating evidence for responsible integration: By analyzing community data, we aim to identify potentially effective herbal remedies and advocate for their responsible integration within local healthcare systems. This could:

• Reduce the overuse of antibiotics, contributing to the global fight against AMR.
• Improve access to affordable and effective healthcare options for LMIC communities.

Promoting community ownership: Our collaborative approach empowers communities to become active participants in managing their health and contributing to the global knowledge base on traditional medicine.

Pilot program results: While in the pilot stage, initial data suggests promising potential. We observed:

• High community engagement: A significant number of individuals participated in workshops and provided feedback.
• Diverse use of herbal remedies: The data revealed a variety of plants used for various ailments within the community.

Year 1: Expanding Reach and Deepening Engagement

• Expand geographic reach: We plan to partner with additional LMIC communities.
• Enhance online platform: Develop features for user-generated content, gamified learning modules.
• Strengthen community engagement: Conduct training workshops for local community health workers to empower them as peer educators within their communities.
• Refine data collection and analysis: Develop standardized data collection protocols and leverage advanced analytics.

Year 2-3: Advocacy and Sustainability

• Disseminate findings: Publish research papers and reports based on community data..
• Collaborate with policymakers: Engage with policymakers and healthcare stakeholders to develop guidelines and policies 
• Forge strategic partnerships: Partner with NGOs, research institutions, and pharmaceutical companies to leverage expertise and resources .
• Explore sustainable funding models: Investigate options like impact investment, grants, and public-private partnerships .

Expected Outcomes:

• Reach 2,000 individuals across 3 LMIC communities in Year 1 (based on pilot program size and initial expansion plans).
• Generate 2-research publications in Year 1, focusing on initial pilot program findings and potential research collaborations.
• Partner with 2local organizations in Year 1 to expand community engagement and platform outreach within the initial target communities.
• Secure 1,000,000in Year 1 to support platform development, initial community engagement activities, and data analysis.

We at Plant Power Metrics are committed to measuring our success towards achieving our impact goals through a multi-pronged approach:

1. Community Engagement:

• Number of individuals participating in workshops and surveys: During the pilot, 2000 individuals participated in these activities.
• Level of satisfaction with the platform: We will conduct surveys to gauge user experience and gather feedback on accessibility and usefulness.

2. Data Collection and Quality:

• Quantity of data collected on herbal remedy use and perceived effectiveness: The pilot yielded data on  different remedies used for various ailments.
• Data completeness and accuracy: We will monitor data quality through internal review processes and user feedback.

3. Knowledge Dissemination and Advocacy:

• Number of research publications and reports produced based on data analysis: We aim to publish 2 publications in Year 1.
• Number of partnerships established with policymakers and healthcare stakeholders: We are actively seeking collaborations and have initiated discussions with3 organizations.

4. Sustainability:

• Amount of funding secured: We are targeting 1,000000 in Year 1.
• Development of a sustainable funding model: We will explore various options and track progress towards establishing a long-term funding strategy.

Planned Deployment Countries:

• Current: Mozambique (Pilot program)
• Next 3 years: Uganda, Zambia (Based on pilot learnings and feasibility assessments)

Factors Facilitating Rapid Scale-up:

• Existing partnerships: We are building partnerships with local NGOs and healthcare organizations in target countries to leverage their expertise and networks.
• Culturally-sensitive approach: Our platform will be adapted to local languages and cultural contexts to ensure accessibility and user adoption.
• Mobile-friendly design: The platform's mobile-friendliness allows even individuals with limited access to computers to participate.

Potential Barriers and Mitigation Strategies:

• Financial resources:
  • Strategy: We will pursue grant funding, impact investments, and potential public-private partnerships to secure sustainable funding.
  • Minimum requirement: Secure 1000000in Year 1 to support initial expansion and platform development.
• Technical infrastructure:
  • Strategy: Explore partnerships with local telecommunication companies to provide affordable internet access in target communities.
  • Minimum requirement: Identify at least 10 local partners willing to collaborate on bridging the digital divide.
• Policy and legal frameworks:
  • Strategy: Advocate for policy changes that support the responsible integration of traditional medicine into healthcare systems.
  • Minimum requirement: Establish partnerships with 3 relevant government agencies or policymakers to initiate dialogue and collaboration.

We are applying to The Trinity Challenge because it offers a unique opportunity to amplify the impact of Plant Power Metrics in addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in low- and middle-income communities. One of the primary barriers we face is the lack of access to resources and networks that can support our solution's scalability and sustainability. The Trinity Challenge provides access to a diverse community of experts, resources, and funding opportunities, enabling us to overcome these barriers and accelerate the implementation of our solution. Additionally, The Trinity Challenge's focus on innovation, data integration, and policy implementation aligns closely with our objectives, making it an ideal platform for us to showcase our approach and collaborate with like-minded organizations and stakeholders. By participating in The Trinity Challenge, we hope to leverage its resources and networks to scale up PlantPower Metrics, drive policy change, and ultimately mitigate the global threat of AMR.

We aim to collaborate with a diverse range of organizations to initiate, accelerate, and scale PlantPower Metrics. Specifically, partnerships with global health organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can provide invaluable expertise, resources, and networks to support our solution's implementation and expansion. Additionally, collaborations with academic institutions and research organizations specializing in herbal medicine, public health, and data analytics can enhance the scientific rigor and impact of our approach. Furthermore, partnering with local healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and grassroots initiatives will ensure that PlantPower Metrics is tailored to the unique needs and contexts of the communities we serve. These collaborations will enable us to leverage diverse expertise, resources, and networks to effectively address antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and improve health outcomes globally.