Health security and pandemic preparedness efforts are usually led by the public sector, and often fail to include private sector providers. But community pharmacists and private sector providers make up nearly 40% of health services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and are essential in the fight against infectious diseases. Given this reality, it is essential we leverage the private sector to strengthen health security and pandemic preparedness.
Private sector providers are not just healthcare professionals, they are trusted community members. Because of their high volume of clients, they are often the first point of contact for people who contract infectious diseases, which is of critical importance in preventing and monitoring disease outbreaks. They have the local knowledge and relationships needed to support a community-led outbreak response effectively. By integrating them into our health security strategies, we can create a more resilient and responsive mixed health system.
The untapped potential of private providers
A new PSI-led study surveyed 1,008 registered pharmacies and 574 providers from clinics and hospitals across Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. The results highlight the often-overlooked role of private healthcare providers in pandemic preparedness and response. Through this study, we learned:
The majority of private sector providers are not engaged by local authorities in pandemic preparedness and response activities – Between 2020 and 2022, only 37% of private providers reported being involved in preparedness activities (e.g. contact tracing, advising on health emergencies, surveillance activities, case detection and reporting, and more), and 33% in emergency response efforts. Cambodia saw higher engagement of private providers (38%) compared to Vietnam (22%) and Laos (20%). In Vietnam, 59% of all respondents were involved in preparedness activities, however in Cambodia and Laos, respondents reported more involvement in response efforts. Healthcare providers in private clinics were more engaged (43%) compared to pharmacies (27%).
Private sector providers are willing and able to help strengthen health security – A significant percentage (85% in Cambodia; 89% in Laos; 83% in Vietnam) of providers expressed moderate to high willingness to get involved in disease surveillance and community engagement. Those with prior experience in public health efforts were even more eager to participate.
How to build private sector capacity for health security
To truly harness the power of private providers, we must systematically include them in health security investments. This means providing them with the resources, training, and support they need to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases.
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In the post-COVID world, VCs say it’s not as easy to get excited about investing in digital health. Deal activity in healthcare IT was relatively flat in Q1 2024 at 74 total deals, valued at about $1 billion total, up only 3% from the year-ago quarter, according to PitchBook data.
Still, promising startups have grabbed investors’ attention this year. TechCrunch spoke with about a dozen healthcare VCs about the companies they think have the most promising future. While recently formed AI-driven startups that are solving staggering administrative challenges in the U.S. healthcare system dominated their recommendations, they also mentioned several slightly older, non-AI-focused businesses.
We narrowed their suggestions to the list of names that more than one VC mentioned, which came in at an even 10 companies. VCs discussed with us the companies that were both in their portfolios and not.
Abridge
What it does: Uses AI to automate medical records based on conversations between doctors and patients.
Founded in 2018 by Shiv Rao, a practicing cardiologist, Abridge is an early entrant into the medical note-taking space and one that has secured integration with the all-powerful Epic Systems health records software.
Why it’s promising: The Pittsburgh-based startup generates excitement among investors and hospital systems eager to free up physicians’ time spent on note-taking. Abridge is the health tech startup that among investors we talked to was mentioned the most.
Some investors said that Abridge is leading its category. Other companies competing to dominate the AI-powered medical note-taking market include Ambience, Nabla, Microsoft-owned Nuance and Suki.
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A hackathon is an event where individuals, often software developers, collaborate intensively on projects, typically within a short timeframe. Participants work on coding, problem-solving, and innovation, aiming to create functional and often prototype solutions. It's a platform for creativity and learning in a competitive or collaborative environment.
The Digital Health Hackathon is a three-day event that will take place from March 7th to 9th, 2024, at the
Millennium Hall in Addis Ababa. The hackathon is organized by Ethio Health, Ethiopia’s premier
international exhibition and congress, in partnership with various organizations. The hackathon is part of
the 8th Ethio Health Exhibition and Congress, the largest congregation of healthcare, medical, and
pharmaceutical professionals in Ethiopia.
The hackathon aims to address some of the most pressing healthcare challenges in Ethiopia by leveraging
digital health technologies, such as EMR, artificial intelligence, mobile health, telemedicine, and big data.
The hackathon will focus on six specific challenges, based on the key topics or agendas from the 8th
Ethio Health Exhibition and the needs assessment conducted:
The hackathon is open to anyone interested in solving healthcare problems with technology, regardless of
their background, experience, or skill level. The hackathon is an opportunity to learn from experts, mentors, and peers, to network with potential partners, investors, and customers, and to showcase and
pitch the solutions to a panel of judges and a large audience. The hackathon will also offer attractive
prizes and recognition for the best solutions, as well as the possibility of further development and
implementation.
To register please click
The 8th Ethio Health Exhibition and Congress will be held at the Millennium Hall, featuring companies from 12 countries, including the Official Algeria Pavilion.
Over 40 CPD accredited conferences for the 1st time in Ethiopia in collaboration with 22 Professional and Sectoral Association.
More than 4000 health professionals and the sector business community are expected to network and transact with 90+ global leaders and Key local stakeholders.
(Addis Ababa) Prana Events, the leading trade fair organizer in Ethiopia, will host the 8th Ethio Health, Ethiopia’s premier International Exhibition, and Conference, to be held from 07-09 March 2024 at the Millennium Hall, Addis Ababa. The event covers the entire healthcare, medical, and Pharma value chains.
The 2024 edition has attracted exhibitors from 12 countries and an Official Algerian Pavilion facilitated by TASDIR the subsidiary of SAFEX, the Algerian Company of Fairs and Exhibitions with the support of the Algerian Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion.
As the largest gathering of healthcare and trade professionals in Ethiopia, Ethio Health 2024 has established itself as a key venue for the development of the health sector. It creates a continuous platform for Manufacturers, Imports, and service providers an opportunity to network and transact with 4000 visitors operating in different areas of healthcare.
The event is completely committed to upbeat the progression of the healthcare industry, presenting a unique opportunity for all related to the field to reach new horizons of effective cooperation and discuss vital issues that currently stand in front of the healthcare value chain. There will also be ample scope for establishing a profitable business relationship and a chance to interact with others in the area of trade and investment in the sector.
Quality exhibitors from all corners of the world
The 2024 edition has attracted 90+ Companies from twelve countries: Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, China, Ethiopia, France, Germany, India, Iran, Kenya, Pakistan, and the United Aran Emirates. These exhibitors will showcase their latest technology and solutions to meet the rapidly increasing demand for medical services and are looking forward to the start of the event to speak with the expected 4000 + visitors of the exhibition.
The state-of-the-art ultrasound assembly plant, a joint venture between Elsmed Solutions and Siemens, has commenced operations at the Huajian Industrial Park in Addis Ababa Garment. The facility, which specializes in assembling equipment for diagnosing a wide range of diseases, was officially inaugurated yesterday.
State Minister of Health, Frehiwot Abebe, emphasized the pivotal role the newly commissioned factory will play in providing access to advanced technological treatments across Ethiopia and the wider African continent. she further underscored the factory's national importance, highlighting its contribution to job creation for technicians, engineers, and other supporting professionals, particularly those involved in the medical sector.
Elsmead Solution Company's President, Ronen Bahur, conveyed his profound gratitude for the successful establishment of the factory, a feat achieved after several years of meticulous preparation. He acknowledged the significant role played by the Ethiopian government in bringing this vision to fruition.
He expressed that our investment in Ethiopia is poised to pave the way for other corporations, positioning Ethiopia as a preferred business destination. Dawit Haileu, the Managing Director of Elsmed Ethiopia, took pride in the fact that the equipment manufactured by the factory bears the 'Made in Ethiopia' label, a testament to Ethiopia's capabilities. The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of esteemed guests including the State Minister for Health, Frehiwot Abebe, former Health Minister Dr. Lia Tadese, and ambassadors from Germany and Israel.
Source Ministry of Health Ethiopia
Prana Events proudly announces its newly established partnership with Health Tourism Development center for Islamic Countries (HTDC). A Memorandum of understanding was signed by Mr. Majid Zangooei (Secretary General of HTDC) and Mr. Nebeyu Lemma ( Managing Director of Prana Events ) during the networking event in Dusit Thani Dubai Hotel in Dubai.
HTDC is an international organization to recognize new opportunities for cooperation and expand international relations & business networks between all players and stakeholders active in the industry of Health and Health Tourism. The partnership is expected to strengthen the healthcare industry ties of the East African and Middle Eastern regions.
Mr. Nebeyu Lemma, Managing Director of Prana Events, Dr. Misker Kassahun, Project Coordinator of Life Science at Prana Events, and MD Mahmudul Alam Khan, Charge De Affairs - Embassy of Bangladesh, has given Press Conference on 14 FEB 2023 regarding the 7th Ethio Health Exhibition & Congress that will be held next week from 23 to 25 February 2023 at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel.
We thank Arts tv world , Addis Maleda , Nahootv , The Reporter , WMCC , Ahadu Radio , ሀገሬ ቴቪ- Hagerie TV , Ethiopia News Agency , FM Addis 97.1 /ኤፍ ኤም አዲስ 97.1 ሬዲዮ/ , OBN English , addisadmassnews.com , Addis Fortune , BisratFm , Ahadu TV / አሐዱ ቴሌቪዥን and everyone for being present at the press conference.
We also would like to thank Ministry of Health,Ethiopia , Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority /EFDA/ and EPSAA , Ethiopian Medical Association , Ethiopian Society of Internal Medicine - ESIM , Ethiopian Society of Cardiac Professionals , Ethiopian Society of Anesthesiologists Professional Association , Radiology Society of Ethiopia, Ethiopian Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists Association, Ethiopian Biomedical Engineers & Technologists Association, Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Association (EPA), Ethiopian Public Health Officers Association (EPHOA), Ethiopian Healthcare Professionals Association, Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, and Yetena Weg our governmental and conference partners.
On Monday, January 15, 2015 Gradian Health Systems, a charity organization, announced that it has imported modern respiratory and anesthesia machines that can work without electricity or medical oxygen to assist breathing in intensive care and anesthesia patients.
The ventilators (K-O2) provide continuous oxygen therapy for up to 10 patients at a time, (UAM) an anesthesia machine designed to continue working without electricity and medical oxygen, (ICV) for critical and intensive care as well as ambulatory and intermediate care. Air-breathing equipment and (PRIMA) are anesthesia machines that provide an ideal solution for the dermatology department.
As Anthony Gitenji, the Business Development Director of Gradian Health Systems, told New Morning; He explained that his institution is working in different countries with the aim of providing complete health care and improving lives by combining international standard medical equipment with practical training and local support.
Accordingly, he said, they brought these machines into the country in order to provide healthcare providers in Ethiopia with access to high-quality technology and training.
He added that apart from the fact that the machines are convenient for breathing for patients under anesthesia and intensive care, they have also introduced machines that can provide air for up to 20 patients at a time.
In addition, Dr. Redet Shimelis, the representative of Gradian Health Systems in Ethiopia, explained that the machines will be a solution to the power cut that is a problem in the health sector in Ethiopia. From minutes and hours to months, the machines provide service with a modern battery equipped with no electricity and they are able to generate oxygen by themselves for a few hours without an oxygen cylinder.
Dr. Redet also added that the charitable institution has a plan to deliver the machines to both government and private health institutions at an affordable price. He stated that discussions are being held with the Ministry of Health based on the plan of the charitable institution to manufacture the machines in the country.
Dr. Redet stated that when Gradian Health Systems imports the machines into the country, it provides timely maintenance services by technical experts and prepares spare parts storage for quick and easy access. Also added that the institute is planning to provide various trainings to professionals with high experience and expertise in the profession, he explained to Addis Morning.
Gradian Health Systems is a New York-based non-profit medical technology organization; It is an institute working to transform the supply of medical equipment in underserved hospitals around the world.
Mesfin Lemma, MD, is the first person in the world to perform minimally invasive spine surgery with the Excelsius3D 3-in-1 Intelligent Imaging System.
Mesfin Lemma, MD, of MedStar Orthopaedic Institute, recently became the world’s first spine surgeon to perform minimally invasive spine surgery using the Excelsius3D 3-in-1 intelligent imaging system. Because it displays real-time 3D video and can perform the surgery more precisely and minimally invasively.
By combining cone-beam CT, fluoroscopy, and digital radiography into a single unit, the need for multiple imaging devices is eliminated. This can save time during the procedure, which means our patients will spend less time under anesthesia.
About Dr. Lemma
Dr. Lemma is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon, specializing in the surgical treatment of cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disorders. He sees patients in Bel Air, Rosedale / White Marsh, and in Baltimore at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital. He currently serves as division chief of spine surgery as well as director of minimally invasive spine surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital.
The health authorities in Malawi have declared an outbreak of wild poliovirus type 1 after a case was detected in a young child in the capital Lilongwe. This is the first case of wild poliovirus in Africa in more than five years.
Africa was declared free of indigenous wild polio in August 2020 after eliminating all forms of wild polio from the region. Laboratory analysis shows that the strain detected in Malawi is linked to the one that has been circulating in Sindh Province in Pakistan. Polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan. As an imported case from Pakistan, this detection does not affect the African region’s wild poliovirus-free certification status.
“As long as wild polio exists anywhere in the world all countries remain at risk of importation of the virus,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Africa. “Following the detection of wild polio in Malawi, we’re taking urgent measures to forestall its potential spread. Thanks to a high level of polio surveillance in the continent and the capacity to quickly detect the virus, we can swiftly launch a rapid response and protect children from the debilitating impact of this disease.”
