Linking private health sector to public COVID-19 response in Kisumu, Kenya: Lessons Learnt

  1. M. Omollo
  2. I. A. Odero
  3. H.C. Barsosio
  4. S. Kariuki
  5. F. ter Kuile
  6. S.O. Okello
  7. K. Oyoo
  8. A. K’Oloo
  9. K. Otieno
  10. S. van Duijn
  11. S. N. Onsongo
  12. N. Houben
  13. E. Milimo
  14. R. Aroka
  15. F. Oluoch
  16. T.F. Rinke de Wit

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Abstract

Background

COVID-19 is overwhelming health systems universally. Increased capacity to combat the epidemic is important, while continuing regular healthcare services. This paper describes an innovative Public Private Partnership (PPP) against COVID-19 that from the onset of the epidemic was established in Kisumu County, Western Kenya.

Methods

An explanatory research design was used. Qualitative in-depth interviews (n=49) were conducted with purposively selected participants including patients, health workers, and policy makers. Thematic analysis was undertaken on interview transcripts and triangulation was performed.

Results

The PPP hinged through the provision of central diagnostic COVID-19 services through a parastatal institute (KEMRI). Complementary tasks were divided between Kisumu Department of Health and public and private healthcare providers, supported by an NGO. Facilitators to this PPP included implementation of MoH Guidelines, digitalization of data, strengthening of counseling services and free access to COVID-19 testing services in private facilities. Barriers included, data accessibility, sub optimal financial management.

Conclusion

Coordinated PPP can rapidly enhance capacity and quality of COVID-19 epidemic management in African settings. Our PPP model appears scalable, as proven by current developments. Lessons learnt from this initial PPP in Kisumu County will be beneficial to expanding epidemic preparedness to other Counties in Kenya and beyond.

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  1. ScreenIT

    SciScore for 10.1101/2022.03.29.22271489: (What is this?)

    Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.

    Table 1: Rigor

    EthicsIRB: Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate: The study received ethical clearances from two bodies: Kenya Medical Research Institute: Scientific and Ethical Review Unit (SERU) KEMRI/SERU/CGHR/05/05/4038: and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) Ethical Review Board (ERB) IERC/2030/2020.
    Consent: Written consent was obtained from all participants before the process of data collection.
    Sex as a biological variablenot detected.
    Randomizationnot detected.
    Blindingnot detected.
    Power Analysisnot detected.

    Table 2: Resources

    Software and Algorithms
    SentencesResources
    The four additional non-essential but preferred criteria include: high scores on SafeCare, preferably actively using M-TIBA, preferably participating/interested in Medical Credit Fund loan program and participating in PharmAccess MomCare program.
    PharmAccess MomCare
    suggested: None

    Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).

    Results from LimitationRecognizer: An explicit section about the limitations of the techniques employed in this study was not found. We encourage authors to address study limitations.

    Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.

    Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.

    Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.

    Results from rtransparent:
    • Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • No protocol registration statement was detected.

    Results from scite Reference Check: We found no unreliable references.

    About SciScore

    SciScore is an automated tool that is designed to assist expert reviewers by finding and presenting formulaic information scattered throughout a paper in a standard, easy to digest format. SciScore checks for the presence and correctness of RRIDs (research resource identifiers), and for rigor criteria such as sex and investigator blinding. For details on the theoretical underpinning of rigor criteria and the tools shown here, including references cited, please follow this link.

  2. Version published to 10.1101/2022.03.29.22271489 on medRxiv