Improving transparency in malaria programme funds: A business case for connected diagnostics in Kenya.

Abstract

Background: International vertical health financing programmes risk functioning in parallel with existing domestic funding in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), leading to inefficient service delivery and concomitant poor health outcomes.

Aim: We assessed the opportunities offered by digitalised diagnostics (ConnDx) to target and monitor health funds to those in need objectively and transparently.

Setting: ConnDx was rolled out in five private health facilities in Kisumu, Kenya.

Methods: The ConnDx process was codeveloped with the local Department of Health of Kisumu. We used the quantitative data generated by ConnDx. We also calculated the costs for ConnDx and standard care to assess potential cost reductions.

Results: In total, 2199 malaria cases were detected among 11 689 patients with fever. ConnDx allowed for the identification of malaria hotspots, semi-real-time assessment of patient health seeking behaviour across facilities and insights in doctor's prescription behaviours. Based on these insights, we estimated a 25% reduction in costs can be realised, while simultaneously better quality indicators can be monitored.

Conclusion: The concept of ConnDx can be used for any medical condition that can be diagnosed in a digital manner and linked to mobile payment systems. The generated data can contribute to better quality services for individual patients while at the same time support local health policy makers and managers for more targeted interventions.

Contribution: The ConnDx approach can help decision makers in LMICs to channel disease-specific funds to the right patients for the right disease at the right time, which can potentially accelerate the way to universal health coverage.