Accomplished and Projected Milestones
The goals set by the team at Damico Health represent a multifaceted approach to enhancing care within the communities we serve while also advancing global health initiatives. In essence, the Milestone Agenda is a testament to our ongoing journey, highlighting both our past successes and our future aspirations. It serves as a strategic guide, providing a clear and professional vision for the path ahead.
2020-2023 Accomplishments
Focus on Preventative Education
At Damico Health, our top priority is disease prevention over treatment. Preventative care is consistently more cost-effective, more efficient, and yields better long-term outcomes for our patients. We have implemented various strategies to achieve this, including the development of educational sessions that aim to increase health literacy among the communities we serve. These sessions cover critical health topics such as malaria, typhoid, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), family planning, and general hygiene and health. Our courses not only explain how these diseases occur but also provide actionable steps on how to prevent them.
A key aspect of our approach is that the majority of our educational materials are designed by our local team members. This ensures that the information we deliver is relevant, realistic, and actionable for our patients. For instance, back in 2016, during one of our initial trips, we observed an American lecturer teaching about the use of mosquito nets. The lecturer emphasized the importance of tucking the net under the mattress, which led to laughter from the audience because many did not have a mattress. This experience underscored the importance of understanding and adapting to local contexts.
Focus on Patient Education in Clinics
Building upon our preventative education sessions, it is equally important that patients receive continuous education from healthcare professionals in our clinics. This can be challenging, especially when we see over 300 patients in a day. To address this, we increased our staff, which has improved our throughput and allowed our team to spend more time educating patients. For example, our physicians now have the time to demonstrate physical therapy maneuvers to alleviate disabling pain and explain the underlying causes of conditions to prevent future occurrences. Our pharmacy team also has more time to counsel patients on medication use and adherence, emphasizing the importance of completing antibiotic courses to avoid resistance.
Introducing Focused Women’s Health Care
A critical need we identified in our communities was quality obstetric and gynecological care. To address this, we launched the Kiernan Women’s Health Initiative and partnered with another organization, Wings for Women, which specializes in this area. This partnership has significantly strengthened our preventative care and education efforts. Services provided include family planning, cervical cancer screening, obstetric care, nutrition, and educational materials on these topics. We are immensely grateful for this collaboration and the positive impact it has had on women’s health in our communities.
Legal Formation of Damico Health Inc.
As our organization grew, it became apparent that we needed to formally incorporate and obtain tax-exempt status with the IRS to continue our growth. This was a lengthy process, but we are now proud to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization. This status has enabled us to accept donations and more easily partner with other NGOs to achieve our mission.
2024 Accomplishments
Pivoting Our Care Model
Previously, our efforts were centered around annual cycles. Patients would receive necessary treatment, education, and connections to local resources for continuity of care. While this approach allowed us to make a significant impact on health outcomes, it was neither sustainable nor fully aligned with our goal of providing preventative and effective care. In 2024, we shifted our model to major quarterly interventions with continuous intermediate care managed by our local partners. This pivotal move is a step toward our goal of offering a full suite of clinical services year-round, ensuring more consistent and comprehensive care.
Initial Vaccination Provision
To maintain our focus on preventative care, we recognized the importance of enhancing vaccination services in our communities. Vaccinations can be challenging due to the need for temperature control and varying shelf lives. However, with the support of a local partner equipped with the necessary infrastructure, we launched an initial vaccination program. This program includes vaccinations for yellow fever and HPV. While we aspire to expand our vaccination services, especially for individuals with compromised health conditions, this initiative has been a significant start. It has provided valuable insights as we work towards scaling this critical service.
Introduction of Ultrasound Imaging Services
Ultrasound is one of the most beneficial imaging modalities we can bring to our communities. It is portable, radiation-free, and relatively easy to use with proper training. Our healthcare professionals consistently requested the deployment of ultrasound technology in our clinical services, recognizing its importance. However, ultrasound equipment is traditionally expensive. Fortunately, recent advancements in smaller, portable handheld devices have brought imaging quality comparable to larger machines. Through Butterfly Network’s global health program and the generosity of a donor, we acquired the probes and tablets necessary to implement this technology. We are immensely grateful to bring this advanced imaging modality to the field, enhancing our diagnostic capabilities and overall patient care.
2024 Projected Milestones
Introduction of a Custom Electronic Medical Record System
We are excited to announce the development of a custom electronic medical record (EMR) system tailored to our specific needs. This project has required us to overcome several challenges, including inconsistent electrical power and internet access. Recently, we initiated negotiations with several companies to build an EMR system that is not only customized to our requirements but also scalable and adaptable for other organizations.
With our own physical infrastructure, we can consistently deploy an EMR system. However, given our current mobile setup, we recognize the inherent challenges of running a remote clinic solely on an EMR. To address this, we have developed a hybrid system that combines the data security and robustness of an EMR with the simplicity and speed of paper files. We are eager to share more details as the development progresses.
Advancing Orthopedic Interventions
Improving orthopedic care is a critical area of focus for us. Many of our patients present with joint pathologies or acute fractures, and we have encountered numerous cases of individuals living with untreated fractures for months. To address these issues, several members of our team are currently undergoing or planning to engage in additional training in orthopedic care. While the lack of physical infrastructure limits our ability to handle advanced cases and acquire X-ray imaging, we aim to establish a referral system with a regional hospital. This would enable our patients to receive necessary orthopedic care at no cost. This referral system will also enhance our ability to quickly share and receive patient information, improving overall patient outcomes.
Sickle Cell Diagnosis and Care Coordination
Sickle cell disease is a significant health concern among the African population, often remaining undiagnosed until complications arise. The gold standard diagnostic test for sickle cell is expensive and rare in the region. To address this, we have developed a system using test kits and diagnostic equipment that are battery-operated and do not require refrigeration. This enables us to diagnose sickle cell disease with a high degree of certainty.
We plan to publish research on this project, highlighting its potential to raise awareness and educate patients in developing nations about managing sickle cell disease. Many suspected cases we encounter are in young children. Providing their parents with education and an official diagnosis will greatly benefit these children in the long run.
2025 to 2030 Projected Milestones
2025: Enhancing Coordination and Technology
Our goals for 2025 are multifaceted, focusing on enhancing our electronic medical record (EMR) system and increasing coordination among NGOs in the region. As we gain more experience with our EMR, we plan to streamline and refine its functionality to better meet our needs and those of our partners.
We aspire to facilitate greater collaboration among NGOs. In many regions, numerous NGOs and charitable organizations operate independently to advance community health. However, a lack of communication and awareness often hampers their collective impact. To address this, we are planning to launch a platform that will connect these organizations, fostering collaboration and resource sharing. For example, our long-term goal of establishing a surgical center could benefit other health organizations within a reasonable distance, allowing them to refer patients for advanced surgical care. This interconnected approach, supported by a unified EMR system, will enable rapid sharing of patient data and enhance the overall quality of care.
2028: Establishing Physical Infrastructure
By 2028, we anticipate having our own physical infrastructure, strategically located to serve the communities we support. This development will significantly enhance our ability to provide comprehensive clinical services, including advanced imaging, laboratory services, and specialized healthcare interventions such as physical therapy. The establishment of a central facility will improve our operational efficiency and patient outcomes.
We also plan to scale our EMR and organizational collaboration systems to other regions. This expansion will enable us to standardize and elevate the quality of care across multiple locations, ensuring that our innovative approaches benefit a broader population.
2030: Introducing Specialized Surgical Care
In our ongoing commitment to delivering comprehensive healthcare to the community, we have engaged with and learned from leading organizations worldwide that have achieved success in this endeavor. Our goal is to establish a specialized surgical center at our clinic by 2023.
This surgical center will enable our staff to provide continuous, year-round care to our patients. When we bring in specialized surgical teams, such as those in ophthalmology, orthopedics, or vascular surgery, these specialists will be able to consult with patients and schedule necessary procedures during their visits. This model ensures that patients receive consistent follow-up care and timely access to specialized surgical services, enhancing overall patient outcomes and satisfaction. By adopting this approach, we aim to set a new standard for integrated surgical care within our community.