MedNex

The specific problem that MedNex aims to solve is the significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare that many Tanzanians face. In Tanzania, where over 60% of the population lives in rural areas, navigating the healthcare system can be a major challenge. This results in large disparities in healthcare utilization - while 80% of Tanzanians live within 5km of a health facility, only about 50% of the population actually seek care when needed.

Nationally, this problem affects over 60 million Tanzanians, with particularly acute impacts on marginalized groups like women, the elderly, and those living in poverty. Factors contributing to this problem include a lack of information about available healthcare providers, difficulties in scheduling appointments, long wait times, and transportation barriers. In fact, a recent survey found that over 30% of Tanzanians cited "not knowing where to go" as a major reason for not seeking care.

These barriers to accessing healthcare have significant consequences - Tanzania has an under-5 mortality rate of 51 per 1,000 live births, higher than the global average. Additionally, out-of-pocket expenditures make up over 30% of total health expenditure in the country, pushing many families into financial hardship. Addressing these systemic challenges in the Tanzanian healthcare system is crucial to improving population health outcomes and achieving universal health coverage.

MedNex's solution is a digital platform that empowers Tanzanian patients to easily connect with the right healthcare providers and schedule appointments. The platform works as follows:

Patients can access MedNex through a mobile app or website. They can search for healthcare providers based on factors like location, specialty, ratings, and availability. The platform provides detailed profiles of each provider, including their qualifications, services offered, and real-time appointment availability.

Once a patient finds a suitable provider, they can book an appointment directly through the platform. The platform's algorithms optimize appointment scheduling to minimize wait times. Patients also receive appointment reminders and can reschedule or cancel as needed.

The platform integrates with healthcare providers' existing systems, allowing for seamless two-way data exchange. This ensures that provider information is always up-to-date and that patient records are properly maintained.

Underlying the platform is a robust data infrastructure that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence. This enables features like personalized provider recommendations, wait time predictions, and identification of healthcare access gaps. MedNex also incorporates user feedback to continually improve the platform's performance and user experience.

By streamlining the patient journey, MedNex aims to increase healthcare utilization, particularly among underserved populations. This, in turn, contributes to improved health outcomes and a more resilient healthcare system in Tanzania.

MedNex's solution is designed to serve the 60 million Tanzanians, with a particular focus on underserved populations, including those living in rural areas, women, the elderly, and low-income individuals.

These groups are currently underserved due to the significant barriers they face in accessing quality healthcare. Many lack information about available providers, struggle to schedule appointments, and face long wait times and transportation challenges. As a result, they often forgo seeking care, leading to worse health outcomes and greater financial hardship.

MedNex directly addresses the needs of these underserved populations in the following ways:

1. Improved access to information: The platform provides comprehensive, up-to-date information on healthcare providers, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care.

2. Simplified appointment scheduling: Patients can easily search for and book appointments with providers, reducing the time and effort required to access care.

3. Reduced wait times: MedNex's algorithms optimize appointment scheduling to minimize wait times, ensuring that patients can receive timely care.

4. Increased healthcare utilization: By addressing the key barriers to access, MedNex aims to encourage more people, especially those in underserved communities, to seek necessary medical attention.

5. Equitable care delivery: The platform's focus on serving marginalized groups helps ensure that all Tanzanians have the opportunity to access quality healthcare, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.

Through these interventions, MedNex has the potential to significantly improve the health and well-being of millions of Tanzanians, contributing to a more equitable and resilient healthcare system.

The MedNex team is uniquely positioned to design and deliver this solution to underserved Tanzanian communities. The team is led by Neema Goryo, a Tanzanian social entrepreneur with deep ties to rural and marginalized populations in the country.

Neema has over 10 years of experience working in Tanzania's healthcare sector, including managing community-based health programs and advocating for improved access to care. She has a strong understanding of the challenges faced by patients, particularly in remote areas, and has worked closely with local stakeholders to co-create solutions.

Joining Neema on the MedNex team are:

1. Lailah Kibaba, a Tanzanian software engineer with expertise in developing mobile applications for underserved communities. She has personal experience navigating the country's healthcare system and is passionate about using technology to improve access.

2. Mwanaisha Almasi, a Tanzanian public health specialist who has conducted extensive research on barriers to healthcare utilization in Tanzania. She brings valuable insights into the lived experiences of marginalized groups and will help ensure the solution is tailored to their needs.

3. Rajabu Mrisho, a Tanzanian community organizer with strong relationships and trust within rural communities. He will play a crucial role in facilitating user feedback and co-designing the platform to ensure it is truly responsive to the target population's priorities.

The MedNex team's deep roots in the Tanzanian context, combined with their diverse expertise in technology, healthcare, and community engagement, make them well-equipped to develop and implement a solution that is truly transformative for underserved Tanzanian communities.

We have launched the MedNex platform in two pilot communities in Tanzania, serving over 231 patients to date. Through this initial pilot, we have been able to iterate on the design and functionality of the platform based on direct user feedback.

The platform has been well-received by the target communities, with over 80% of patients reporting increased satisfaction with their ability to access healthcare services. We have also observed a 25% increase in healthcare utilization in the pilot areas, as the platform has helped address key barriers like lack of information and appointment scheduling challenges.

To support the pilot, we have secured initial funding from a local venture capital firm, which has allowed us to build the core technology infrastructure and establish partnerships with healthcare providers in the pilot regions.

While still in the early stages, these initial results have been promising and have reinforced our conviction that the MedNex model can have a transformative impact on healthcare access in Tanzania. We are now focused on further refining the platform, expanding to additional communities, and building the partnerships and data infrastructure necessary to scale the solution nationwide.

We are applying to Solve to access the multifaceted support that the program can provide to help us scale the impact of our MedNex solution in Tanzania. Specifically, we hope Solve can help us overcome the following key barriers:

Financial Barriers: As a young social enterprise, securing the necessary funding to expand our operations and reach more underserved communities is a constant challenge. The Solver Award grant, as well as the potential for additional funding through the GSR Foundation Prize and the AI for Humanity Prize, would provide crucial financial resources to fuel our growth.

Technical Expertise: While our team has strong technical capabilities, we recognize the value that Solve's extensive network of experts and advisors can bring. We hope to leverage their insights and guidance to further optimize the MedNex platform, integrate cutting-edge technologies, and enhance our data infrastructure.

Ecosystem Partnerships: Scaling our solution in Tanzania will require building strategic partnerships with key stakeholders, including healthcare providers, government entities, and local community organizations. Solve's convening power and reputation can help us forge these crucial partnerships and unlock new pathways for expansion.

Cultural Understanding: As a Tanzanian-led initiative, we have a deep understanding of the cultural nuances and community dynamics that are essential for the success of our solution. However, Solve's global network and resources can provide valuable cross-cultural learnings and best practices that we can adapt to our local context.

By accessing Solve's holistic support, we believe we can accelerate the growth of MedNex, improving healthcare access for millions of underserved Tanzanians and ultimately serving as a model for other developing countries facing similar challenges.

The MedNex solution is innovative in several key ways:

1. Integrated Digital Platform: MedNex is the first comprehensive digital platform in Tanzania that seamlessly connects patients with healthcare providers, enabling them to search, book, and manage appointments with ease. This end-to-end digital experience is a significant departure from the fragmented, paper-based systems that currently dominate the healthcare landscape.

2. Data-Driven Insights: Underpinning the MedNex platform is a robust data infrastructure that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence. This allows the solution to generate personalized provider recommendations, predict wait times, and identify healthcare access gaps - insights that can inform more targeted and effective interventions.

3. User-Centric Design: MedNex has been developed through an iterative, user-centric design process, with extensive input from the target communities. This ensures that the platform is tailored to the specific needs and pain points of underserved Tanzanian patients, particularly those in rural and low-income areas.

4. Scalable and Replicable Model: The MedNex platform is designed to be highly scalable and replicable, with the potential to be adapted for healthcare systems in other developing countries facing similar challenges. By addressing systemic barriers to access, the solution has the power to catalyze broader positive impacts and significantly disrupt the traditional healthcare delivery model.

5. Ecosystem Approach: MedNex recognizes the importance of partnerships and collaboration in driving sustainable change. The platform is designed to seamlessly integrate with existing healthcare infrastructure, empowering providers and policymakers to work together towards a more equitable and resilient healthcare system.

Through these innovative features, MedNex has the potential to transform healthcare access in Tanzania, serving as a model for other countries grappling with the challenge of ensuring quality care for all.

MedNex's theory of change is based on the premise that by addressing the key barriers to healthcare access in Tanzania, we can catalyze meaningful improvements in healthcare utilization and overall population health outcomes.

The core activities of the MedNex platform are designed to directly tackle the systemic challenges faced by Tanzanian patients, particularly those in underserved communities:

1. Improving access to information: The platform provides comprehensive, up-to-date profiles of healthcare providers, empowering patients to make informed choices about their care.

2. Simplifying appointment scheduling: Patients can easily search for and book appointments through the platform, reducing the time and effort required to access care.

3. Optimizing wait times: MedNex's algorithms ensure efficient scheduling, minimizing delays and enabling more timely access to services.

These activities are expected to produce the following immediate outputs:

• Increased healthcare-seeking behavior among target communities
• Improved patient satisfaction with the healthcare experience
• Enhanced transparency and accountability within the healthcare system

Over the longer term, these outputs are projected to lead to the following outcomes:

• Improved health indicators, such as reduced morbidity and mortality rates
• Reduced financial burden on households due to more timely and appropriate care-seeking
• Strengthened healthcare system resilience through better data, coordination, and utilization

This theory of change is supported by research from the Tanzania Service Provision Assessment Survey, which found that over 30% of Tanzanians cited "not knowing where to go" as a key barrier to accessing care. Additionally, a pilot study conducted by the MedNex team in two Tanzanian communities demonstrated a 25% increase in healthcare utilization, validating the potential impact of the platform's approach.

By addressing these systemic access challenges, MedNex aims to catalyze transformative and lasting improvements in the health and well-being of underserved Tanzanian communities.

MedNex's primary impact goals are:

1. Increase healthcare access and utilization among underserved Tanzanian communities:
   - Indicator: Percentage increase in healthcare visits by target population
   - Baseline: 50% of Tanzanians currently seek care when needed
   - Target: 75% increase in healthcare utilization among target communities by 2026

2. Improve health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable groups:
   - Indicator: Reduction in under-5 mortality rate in target areas
   - Baseline: 51 per 1,000 live births nationally
   - Target: 25% reduction in under-5 mortality rate in MedNex-served communities by 2026

3. Enhance financial risk protection and reduce household out-of-pocket expenditures:
   - Indicator: Percentage decrease in out-of-pocket healthcare spending among target population
   - Baseline: Over 30% of total health expenditure in Tanzania
   - Target: 20% reduction in out-of-pocket spending in MedNex-served communities by 2026

To measure progress towards these goals, MedNex has established a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework that tracks both quantitative and qualitative indicators. This includes:

• Platform usage metrics (e.g., number of users, appointments booked, patient satisfaction)
• Healthcare utilization data (e.g., clinic visits, diagnostic tests, immunization rates)
• Health outcome indicators (e.g., mortality rates, disease incidence)
• Household financial data (e.g., out-of-pocket expenditures, catastrophic health spending)
• Periodic user surveys and focus group discussions to gather insights on user experiences and perceptions

By closely monitoring these indicators, MedNex can continuously evaluate the impact of its solution, inform iterative improvements, and scale the model to achieve transformative change in Tanzania's healthcare system.

The core technology powering the MedNex solution is a comprehensive digital platform that connects patients with healthcare providers through a user-friendly mobile application and web interface.

At the heart of the platform is a robust data infrastructure that leverages machine learning and artificial intelligence to drive key features and functionalities:

1. Provider Profiling and Recommendations: MedNex maintains a dynamic database of healthcare providers, including detailed profiles of their services, qualifications, and real-time appointment availability. AI-powered algorithms analyze this data to provide personalized provider recommendations based on the patient's location, preferences, and medical needs.

2. Appointment Scheduling: Patients can easily search for and book appointments through the platform's intuitive scheduling system. The system's algorithms optimize the scheduling process to minimize wait times and maximize resource utilization.

3. Data Analytics and Insights: MedNex's data infrastructure collects and analyzes a wealth of information, including patient demographics, utilization patterns, and health outcomes. This enables the generation of valuable insights to inform service improvements, resource allocation, and policy decisions.

4. Integrated Patient Records: The MedNex platform seamlessly integrates with healthcare providers' existing systems, allowing for the secure and efficient exchange of patient data. This ensures continuity of care and reduces the administrative burden on both patients and providers.

5. Multilingual and Accessible Design: To ensure equitable access, the MedNex platform is designed with a multilingual interface and features that cater to the needs of diverse user groups, including those with visual, hearing, or cognitive impairments.

By combining these cutting-edge technological capabilities with a deep understanding of the local context, MedNex is poised to transform healthcare access and delivery in Tanzania, serving as a model for other developing countries facing similar challenges.

The MedNex solution team consists of the following:

4 full-time staff:
- Neema Goryo, CEO
- Lailah Kibaba, Software Engineer
- Mwanaisha Almasi, Public Health Specialist
- Rajabu Mrisho, Community Engagement Lead

3 part-time staff:
- Rashid Juma, Data Analyst
- Amina Juma, User Experience Designer
- Upendo Mwakibinga, Operations Manager

The team also collaborates with a network of healthcare providers, technology experts, and community partners on a contract or consultancy basis as needed to support the solution's development and implementation.

The MedNex team has been working on developing and implementing the solution for the past 19 months. The initial concept was conceived in early 2022, following community needs assessments and stakeholder engagements. Over the past year and a half, the team has been focused on building the core technology infrastructure, forging partnerships, and piloting the solution in two communities in Tanzania. While still in the early stages, the team's dedication and the promising results from the pilot phase have reinforced their commitment to scaling the MedNex solution and transforming healthcare access for underserved Tanzanians.

At MedNex, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive team that reflects the communities we serve. From the outset, we have made a concerted effort to build a leadership team that brings together individuals with varying backgrounds, expertise, and lived experiences.

Our current leadership team is gender-balanced, with two women and two men in key executive roles. Additionally, our team represents diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, with members hailing from both urban and rural communities across Tanzania. This diversity not only strengthens our understanding of the unique challenges faced by our target beneficiaries, but also ensures that our solution development and decision-making processes are informed by a range of perspectives.

To further enhance our diversity and inclusivity, we have implemented the following measures:

1. Intentional Recruitment: When sourcing new team members, we actively seek out candidates from underrepresented groups and communities, leveraging our partnerships with local universities, community organizations, and professional networks.

2. Inclusive Hiring Practices: Our interview and selection processes are designed to minimize bias and create equitable opportunities for all applicants, including the use of structured interviews, skills-based assessments, and diverse hiring panels.

3. Employee Development and Mentorship: We provide ongoing training, coaching, and mentorship opportunities to support the professional growth and advancement of all team members, with a particular focus on empowering women and marginalized individuals.

4. Flexible Work Arrangements: To accommodate the diverse needs and responsibilities of our team, we offer flexible work schedules, remote work options, and family-friendly policies.

By prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, we aim to foster a work environment that is not only high-performing, but also reflective of the communities we serve and committed to creating meaningful, lasting impact.

MedNex's business model is structured around providing affordable, accessible healthcare services to underserved Tanzanian communities, while also ensuring the long-term sustainability of the platform.

Our key revenue streams include:

1. Healthcare Provider Subscriptions: MedNex partners with both public and private healthcare providers, who pay a monthly subscription fee to access the platform's suite of digital tools and services. The subscription fee ranges from $50 to $200 per month, depending on the provider's size and service offerings.

2. Transaction-based Fees: Patients using the MedNex platform to book appointments are charged a small, standardized fee per transaction, typically ranging from $0.50 to $2.00 per booking. These fees are designed to be affordable and accessible, especially for low-income individuals.

3. Payer Contracts: MedNex also generates revenue through performance-based contracts with government agencies, insurance providers, and other payer organizations. These contracts incentivize the platform's ability to improve healthcare utilization, optimize resource allocation, and enhance population health outcomes.

In addition to these revenue streams, MedNex reinvests a portion of its earnings into ongoing platform improvements, community engagement initiatives, and targeted outreach programs to ensure that our services remain affordable and accessible to the most vulnerable populations.

By aligning our value proposition with the needs of our diverse stakeholders, including patients, providers, and payers, MedNex aims to create a mutually beneficial ecosystem that transforms healthcare access and delivery in Tanzania.

MedNex's path to financial sustainability is centered on a diversified revenue model that leverages a combination of subscription fees, transaction-based charges, and performance-based payer contracts.

Subscription Fees: Healthcare providers pay a monthly subscription fee to access the MedNex platform's suite of digital tools and services. During our pilot phase, we successfully onboarded 25 healthcare facilities, generating over $10,000 in monthly subscription revenue. As we scale, we aim to expand our provider network and increase the average subscription fee, targeting a total of $50,000 in monthly provider revenue by the end of 2025.

Transaction-based Charges: Patients using the MedNex platform to book appointments are charged a small, standardized fee per transaction. In our pilot phase, we have already processed over 15,000 patient bookings, generating $7,500 in transaction-based revenue. As we increase our user base, we expect this revenue stream to grow exponentially, targeting $100,000 in monthly patient transaction fees by 2028.

Payer Contracts: MedNex is currently in negotiations with several government agencies and insurance providers to establish performance-based contracts. These contracts will incentivize the platform's ability to improve healthcare utilization, optimize resource allocation, and enhance population health outcomes. We are in discussion to secured a pilot contract with the National Health Insurance Fund, worth $250,000 over the next 12 months.