Sustainable Healthcare Foundation (SHF)
Micro-Franchise Drug Distribution
SHEF is providing access to health services to hundreds of thousands of rural Kenyans.
SNAPSHOT
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Sustainable Healthcare Foundation (SHF) is a non-governmental organization providing comprehensive primary care to low-income communities in Kenya. Its 80 franchise clinics treat nearly 300,000 patients each year for malaria, worms, respiratory infections, and diarrheal and other diseases.
The Challenge
- The vast majority of sickness and death in Kenya is caused by a few major illnesses that can be easily prevented and cured. Many Kenyans, however, lack access to basic health services, affordable drugs and medical supplies.
The Innovation
- SHF, which is a partner organization of the US-based HealthStore Foundation, uses a franchise network to provide communities with access to essential drugs and basic health services. Its model enables qualified nurses to own and operate combination drug-consumer goods shops and medical clinics (called Child and Family Wellness Shops) in underserved areas. The franchise system’s disciplined practices ensure that high-quality drugs and services are available at affordable prices.
- Franchisees receive access to low-cost drugs, management support, training, site selection assistance and marketing support. Most franchisees make cash investments that SHF matches with below-market loans to cover start-up costs and initial drug purchases. Patients pay for the franchisee’s services.
The Impact
- SHF’s 80 clinics treat nearly 300,000 patients each year for malaria, respiratory infections, worms, and diarrheal and other diseases. Most outlets provide living incomes to the nurses and community health workers who own them, and some of the particularly successful franchisees plan to open additional outlets.