Bodas For LifeUC Berkeley & The Blum

CenterPresentation to Uganda Ministry of

Health21 August 2008

Today’s meeting agenda

Purpose of today’s meeting:To share our team’s findings from fieldwork and to discuss a plan for program sustainability

Program background

Recent findings

Challenges

Partnerships & Sustainability

Replicating in other districts

Moving forward with next steps

Bodas For Life is an ongoing collaboration UC Berkeley and MOH have worked together since 2006

FALL 2006- 2007

FALL 2007-2008

FALL 2008 - Beyond

Bodas For Life program starts in fall of 2007 The current setup of the program is largely decentralized

1 nationaldirector

Normal operations of Bodas For LifeRiders and Health Workers collaborate to help patients

Today’s meeting agenda

Program background

Recent findings

Challenges

Partnerships & Sustainability

Replicating in other districts

Moving forward with next steps

Bodas 4 Life is operational in two districtsPatients are accessing health services via B4L rides

# of rides/month

Averagedistance

Average cost

Free rides

Nakaseke 141 4km 1230 ugsh 10%

Kyenjojo 161 5.4km 1709 ugsh 13%

Bodas For Life address critical health issuesMalaria, pregnancy among the many reasons patients take B4L rides

Top patient complaints

Boda contact method

User age profile

Leadership is core to program successAdditional components support program sustainability

B4L services recognized as valuableMultiple stakeholders take initiative to reinforce and expand offerings

Early signs point towards program successAnecdotal evidence indicates improvement in overall health care access

Patients describe Bodas for Life riders as:

• Timely (boda bodas arrive more quickly, especially at night)• Reliable (boda bodas will show-up, even in remote areas)• Less expensive (many riders give a discounted or free ride)• Easily reached by phone (riders on call; numbers publicized in the community)

Preliminary results:

• An increase in patient volume (+20%) for more than half of Kyenjojo health centers served by B4L• No increase in hospitals not served by B4L

Trained riders respond quickly and reliablyBodas For Life provides rides that otherwise would not have happened

Bodas For Life patient

• Mrs. K., 19, lives in Kakabara (Kyenjojo District). She has used B4L several times including for malaria and during her most recent pregnancy.

• She heard about B4L via the local radio program and uses the village pay phone to call the rider, who comes to her house in only 30 minutes.

• She lives more than 6km from the health center, which is sometimes too far to walk when she is sick or pregnant.

• She likes the service, has recommended it to her friends, and thinks B4L is very valuable “because of the reduced price and because they arrive soon.”

Today’s meeting agenda

UC Berkeley

Program background

Recent findings

Challenges

Partnerships & Sustainability

Replicating in other districts

Moving forward with next steps

Challenges persist despite B4L successesSolutions do exist to address these issues

Challenge Proposed solution

Operational

Increase retention Improved selection processMore frequent trainings/check-in

Promote program awareness among patients and health workers

Radio programsVillage health teams

Address the needs of most remote patients

Beyond program scope

External Availability of supplies and staff at health centers

Today’s meeting agenda

Program background

Recent findings

Challenges

Partnerships & Sustainability

Replicating in other districts

Moving forward with next steps

Bodas For Life moves towards sustainabilityLong-term partnerships are needed as Blum Center funding ends

Two-year funding cycle ends in 2008

Today’s meeting agenda

Program background

Recent findings

Challenges

Partnerships & Sustainability

Replicating in other districts

Moving forward with next steps

Bodas For Life can be replicated De-centralized model allows districts to initiate program independently

Bodas For Life is currently operating in two districts and other districts have expressed interest in participating in the program

RecommendationProvide a standardized program description and toolkit for Bodas For Life:

Criteria for identifying new districts Detailed program operating instructions

Creative methods for obtaining funds & supplies

Marketing & communication guide

Bodas for Life tool-kit includes:

Today’s meeting agenda

Program background

Recent findings

Challenges

Partnerships & Sustainability

Replicating in other districts

Moving forward with next steps

Moving forward, MOH support is criticalThe Berkeley team will need guidance in the pursuit of additional funding.

UC Berkeley:

• Pursuing partnerships for additional funding• Finalize Bodas For Life toolkit for replication into additional districts• Ongoing communication with Kyenjojo and Nakaseke to refine program• UC Berkeley officials will return in October 2008

Uganda Ministry of Health:

• Help find local contacts at potential funding organizations• Provide ongoing support and encouragement as Bodas For Life seeks funding

Thank you!