Accomplished and Projected Milestones
The goals set by Damico Health reflect a multifaceted approach to improving community care while advancing global health. The Milestone Agenda highlights both past achievements and future aspirations, serving as a clear strategic guide for the road ahead.
2020-2023 Accomplishments
Focus on Preventative Education
Prevention has always been our top priority—more cost-effective, efficient, and sustainable than treatment. We developed educational sessions on malaria, typhoid, STIs, family planning, and hygiene, explaining both causes and prevention. Importantly, most materials are created by local team members to ensure relevance. Early experiences underscored this need—for example, an American lecturer once advised tucking mosquito nets under mattresses, drawing laughter from participants who had none.
Focus on Patient Education in Clinics
Clinic education builds on community sessions but can be challenging with over 300 patients a day. Expanding staff has improved throughput and allowed more patient interaction. Physicians now demonstrate physical therapy for chronic pain and explain conditions to reduce recurrence, while pharmacists provide counseling on adherence, including completing antibiotic courses to prevent resistance.
Introducing Focused Women’s Health Care
Recognizing the urgent need for obstetric and gynecological services, we launched the Kiernan Women’s Health Initiative and partnered with Wings for Women. This collaboration expanded access to family planning, cervical cancer screening, obstetric care, nutrition support, and educational resources, significantly improving women’s health outcomes.
Legal Formation of Damico Health Inc.
To sustain growth, we formally incorporated and achieved 501(c)(3) status, enabling us to accept donations and partner more easily with NGOs.
2024 Accomplishments
Pivoting Our Care Model
Our original annual missions provided meaningful care but lacked sustainability. In 2024 we shifted to quarterly interventions supported by local partners delivering continuous care. This model ensures more consistent, preventative, and comprehensive services year-round.
Initial Vaccination Provision
Preventative care expanded further with vaccination services, historically difficult due to refrigeration and logistics. Partnering with a local group equipped for storage, we began administering yellow fever and HPV vaccines—an important first step toward scaling immunization programs.
Introduction of Ultrasound Imaging Services
Ultrasound is portable, safe, and highly effective, but cost was prohibitive until advances in handheld devices. Through Butterfly Network’s program and donor support, we acquired portable probes and tablets, significantly enhancing our diagnostic capacity in the field.
2025 Projected Milestones
Introduction of a Custom Electronic Medical Record System
We are developing a custom electronic medical record (EMR) tailored to our needs and adaptable for other organizations. Challenges such as limited power and internet require a hybrid model that combines EMR benefits with the practicality of paper records.
Advancing Orthopedic Interventions
Joint disease and untreated fractures are common in our patients. Team members are pursuing orthopedic training, and we plan referral agreements with regional hospitals for advanced cases. This system will provide free specialized care while improving coordination and outcomes.
Sickle Cell Diagnosis and Care Coordination
Sickle cell disease often goes undiagnosed until complications arise. We are implementing battery-operated diagnostic tools requiring no refrigeration, enabling reliable testing. Our research will raise awareness and help parents manage care for affected children, especially those diagnosed at a young age.
2026 to 2030 Projected Milestones
2026: Enhancing Coordination and Technology
We will refine our EMR system and build a platform to connect NGOs, enabling collaboration and resource sharing. Shared infrastructure, such as a future surgical center, could serve multiple organizations, supported by rapid data exchange.
2028: Establishing Physical Infrastructure
By 2028, we plan to open our own facility to provide advanced imaging, laboratory services, and specialized care, including physical therapy. We also aim to scale our EMR and collaboration systems regionally, standardizing care across sites.
2030: Introducing Specialized Surgical Care
Our long-term goal is to establish a surgical center offering continuous, year-round specialized care. Visiting surgical teams in fields like ophthalmology, orthopedics, and vascular surgery will provide procedures alongside consistent follow-up, setting a new standard for integrated surgical care.