Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Care Center is a social enterprise that leverages mobile technology to help healthcare communities manage and reduce infection risks through real-time guidelines, waste management, and compliance with Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Care Center mobile app project aims to empower healthcare communities in Cameroon and beyond to effectively prevent and control infections through an innovative mobile solution. Our mission is to provide accessible, evidence-based education, tools, and support to healthcare professionals, patients, communities, and facilities managers which will help to reduce the burdens of infections, save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and improve healthcare outcomes. The objectives are to enhance IPC training and education, facilitate real-time surveillance and reporting, and ensure that healthcare facilities comply to the national guidelines for IPC. The mobile application will have the following features; an educational module, an incident reporting system, Guidelines adherence reminders, a data analytics dashboard, and Multilingual support. This project represents a significant step towards enhancing healthcare quality in Cameroon.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The Care Center mobile app will primarily address the problem of healthcare and community associated infections by enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of Infection Prevention and Control measures in healthcare settings and communities. HAIs are major concerns worldwide, with the World Health Organization (WHO) estimating that hundreds of millions of patients are affected annually. In high-income countries, approximately 7-10% of hospitalized patients acquire at least one HAI, while in low and middle-income countries like Cameroon, this figure can be as high as 15%. HAIs also impose $4.5 billion extra cost annually on healthcare systems worldwide. Working as a biomedical engineer in some health facilities in Cameroon, I witnessed the ineffective implementation of IPC protocols and the non-adherence of patients, health workers, visitors, and cleaners to IPC national guidelines.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

The Care Center mobile app will offer the following benefits to health facilities, health workers, patients, and Communities, encompassing economic, social, and environmental benefits. Economically, the app will reduce healthcare costs for patients and health facilities. It will alleviate the burden on families and communities by lowering infection rates, thus reducing the need for costly treatments. Socially, the app will substantially decrease infection rates through timely reporting and monitoring of infections. It will help prevent outbreaks and enable swift intervention. Moreover, the app will empower healthcare workers by providing them with training and education, ultimately enhancing their ability to deliver quality care. Furthermore, it will contribute to national health goals, such as Universal Health Coverage. Environmentally, the Care Center mobile app will ensure the proper disposal of medical and household waste, effectively preventing soil, water, and air pollution.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The Care Center mobile app project is targeting: Healthcare workers: The app will provide training modules, checklists, and real-time updates on IPC protocols to Doctors, hospital administrators, nurses, and cleaners. Community health workers: The app will equip them with essential IPC knowledge and resources to educate and protect their communities. Patients and general public: The app will offer accessible information, reminders, and alerts, educating the patients and the public on infection prevention methods such as hand hygiene, vaccination schedules, and recognizing symptoms of infectious diseases. Public Health Officials: The app will facilitate data collection, real-time reporting of cases, and tracking of infection trends. Schools and Educational Institutions: Teachers, administrators, and students will benefit from tailored guidelines and alerts on maintaining hygiene and preventing outbreaks. Non-Governmental Organizations and International Aid Agencies.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-15

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

1- A Medical Nurse with three years of clinical experience in various healthcare facilities such as Laquintini Hospital, Bonassama District Hospital, Tiko District Hospital, Ndoulou Health Centre, St Augustin Clinic, and St Alexandro Clinic, providing direct patient care. Her experience in the emergency and ICU departments, where she saw the non-adherence to IPC protocols, is a driving force for her to help hospitals and communities prevent infections. Her skills are empathy and compassion, teamwork, and patient education. 2. A Medical Nurse with two years of clinical experience in various healthcare facilities such as Bonassama District Hospital, St Augustin Clinic, and St Alexandro Clinic, providing direct patient care. As a medical nurse, she brings her clinical expertise, compassionate care, and professional dedication to ensure the well-being of patients, health workers and communities. Her skills are Critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

f) Healthcare (healthcare equipment and services)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The Care Center mobile application for IPC will contribute significantly to alleviating poverty in Cameroon by improving public health, enhancing healthcare delivery, reducing healthcare costs, minimizing hospital visits, empowering communities, and supporting economic stability. Health is wealth, by improving public health through effective infection prevention and control, the Care Center app will contribute to reducing poverty in Cameroon. Healthier populations will lead to more stable and productive communities.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Care Center mobile app will significantly contribute to good health and well-being in Cameroon in several ways: a) Information dissemination: The Care Center app will provide accurate information about infectious diseases, modes of transmission, and preventive measures. b) Real-Time Data Collection: The app will facilitate real-time reporting of infection cases, enabling health authorities to track disease spread more effectively and respond promptly. c) Reminders and alerts: The app will send reminders for hand washing, mask-wearing, and vaccination schedules to reinforce good health practices. d) Capacity Building for Health Workers: It will provide training modules, guidelines, and best practices for healthcare workers, improving their knowledge and skills in infection prevention and control. e) Outbreak Management: It will coordinate responses, disseminate critical information, and manage resources more effectively during outbreaks.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

5

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The Care Center mobile app will contribute to the quality of education in Cameroon through various means. Initially, it will grant students and teachers access to accurate information on infectious diseases, hygiene practices, and preventive measures. This information will strengthen students' comprehension of public health. Additionally, the Care Center app will aid in curbing the transmission of infections within educational institutions. Healthier students and staff mean fewer absences, resulting in more consistent and efficient learning environments. Furthermore, the app will furnish real-time updates and alerts regarding outbreaks and health advisories, empowering schools to promptly and effectively address potential health risks. Lastly, the app will gather data on the execution and efficacy of infection prevention and control measures in schools, assisting educators and policymakers in refining strategies and enhancing overall health education programs.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

3

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The Care Center mobile app will enhance access to clean water and sanitation through: 1) The provision of detailed guidance on proper handwashing techniques, the significance of utilizing clean water, and other hygiene practices. By promoting these practices, the app aims to mitigate the transmission of waterborne diseases and foster improved sanitation behaviours. 2) By shedding light on waterborne illnesses such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, the app will raise awareness within communities. It will encourage them to prioritize clean water sources and sanitation facilities. This awareness is crucial in combating the prevalence of such diseases. 3) Through its monitoring and reporting functionality, the app will enable users to promptly report any water or sanitation-related concerns, such as malfunctioning water sources or unhygienic conditions.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

4

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

3

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

3

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The Care Center mobile app for infection prevention and control will contribute to climate action in the following ways: a) The app will reduce environmental contamination by providing guidelines for safe waste handling and disposal, ensuring that infectious materials do not pollute the environment b) The Care Center app will educate healthcare workers and the public about the environmental impact of healthcare practices. This will promote awareness of sustainable practices and encourage behaviours that support climate action. c) It will help reduce medical waste by guiding healthcare workers and the public on the proper use and disposal of medical supplies, minimizing unnecessary waste. d) Our app will help reduce energy consumption through effective IPC measures that reduce the incidence of infections, leading to fewer hospital admissions and shorter stays. This, in turn, reduces energy consumption leading to climate control systems.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

3

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

6

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

4

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

The Care Center mobile application for Infection Prevention and Control in Cameroon and its sub-regions is unique and innovative because of its tailored approach to the local context. It will integrate traditional and modern healthcare facilities and use mobile technology to reach and engage a larger audience. The Care Center app will address specific regional needs (IPC guidelines compliance, effective IPC protocol implementation, waste management, outbreak reporting, and infectious disease prevention) by leveraging existing mobile infrastructures, incorporating real-time reporting and data analytics. Our solution, which takes a unique and original approach, will considerably improve the quality of public health in Cameroon and contribute to universal health coverage.

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

The Care Center mobile app for Infection Prevention and Control in Cameroon is a unique and innovative solution that does not have direct competitors in Cameroon. We consider International Health Organization programs (WHO Health Alert, Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Regional health initiatives (African Center for Disease Control and Prevention), Local Health initiatives (Cameroon Ministry of Public Health, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services), Telemedicine Platforms, and Medical device companies as indirect competitors which we intend to collaborate/partner with to cause a social impact with our solution.

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

I am not currently taking the lead on initiatives with my community to support female entrepreneurs, however, Care Center will be dedicated to advancing gender equality in job opportunities and through its social programs.