By Kinya Kaunjuga
In reality, medical doctors are often absent from clinics within slums, remote rural villages, and informal settlements. This absence stems from the inability of residents in these areas to afford the normal fees charged by doctors for their services. Consequently, this void is filled by clinical officers, nurses, and pharmacists who establish and manage modest makeshift setups to offer fundamental primary healthcare.
Our software is meticulously tailored to cater to these types of clinics and their patients. Notably, our approach encompasses an all-around feedback mechanism, guiding the creation and design of every improved facet of BandaGo. The intention behind this approach is that one day we will help to ensure that these doctor-less clinics are equipped to provide treatment at par with a doctor’s presence. And that every feature of the system is a useful tool to them.
As our software becomes an integral part of these clinics, it takes on the role of a partner, aiding in inventory management, financial accounting, and, as of a year ago, the capture of diagnosis codes to use in public health government reporting. Anticipating its further utility, we envision it aiding in more precise diagnosis, more accurate prescriptions, and devising follow-up care regimens encompassing areas such as HIV and tuberculosis management, chronic illness management, prenatal and antenatal care, and child immunization tracking and reporting.
The capability to swiftly display a patient’s complete medical history on a laptop, as opposed to rifling through paper records, has a profound impact on enhancing healthcare in resource-poor clinics situated in underserved areas.
Kinya brings passion, an infectious laugh and 15 years of experience in the corporate and non-profit world to Banda Health. A Texas A&M alumni with a degree in Journalism and Economics, she says, "I love doing things that matter!"
Margaret Gibson is the Director of Development at BLESS.world. She has spent the past 12 years helping build strategic, innovative, mission-minded organizations that impact the most complex problems of our day. Previously, she was Director of Operations at CrowdHealth, a healthcare technology startup. Her prior professional fundraising experience includes Living Water International, The Gospel Coalition, and The Source for Women.
Ann is a seasoned leader with 12+ years of experience in strategy, innovation, and operational excellence. She was the Senior Director of Strategy and Alignment for Global Impact at McDonald’s Corporation. Before that, she was a Director of Strategy & Innovation for Global Delivery, where she spearheaded new operating models and digital products. Ann began her career as a consultant at The Boston Consulting Group, advising clients on growth strategies and innovation.
Julie does whatever Steve asks her to do! In the early years before joining Banda Health, Julie put her passion for helping people through technology to use as an education-focused, data systems engineer. After spending a few years volunteering as an NGO Treasurer in Kenya, she returned to the USA and fine-tuned her passion to simply focus on adult learning.
Julie’s healthcare hero is the on-call ortho surgeon whose name she can’t remember, but whose skills saved her foot after a car accident.
Clinton is a software developer with in-depth experience in software design, development, implementation, and testing. In a nutshell, solving clients’ needs is his specialty. He graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology with a bachelors in computer technology.
Clinton’s personal healthcare hero is all the doctors and nurses willing to work in low resource areas.
Lawrence markets BandaGo in new areas and onboards clinics who are ready to get started. He joined Banda Health first as an Ambassador, gaining experience in surveying, IT and sales.
His personal healthcare hero is Dr. Steve Letchford at Kijabe Hospital.
Michael helps clinics get started with BandaGo. He joined Banda Health after gaining initial work experience in IT support and data management. He graduated from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology with a bachelors in mathematics and computer science.
Michael’s personal healthcare hero is Dominic Ngalo, a data analyst at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.
Jeremy is our on-the-ground man, making sure the pilot sites have what they need to use our software. He previously worked as a systems analyst and team lead after getting his bachelors degree in computer science at Africa Nazarene University.
Jeremy’s personal healthcare hero is Isabella Muturi, a nurse at AIC Marira Clinic in Kenya.
David’s personal healthcare heroes are the doctors, nurses and physical therapists in his own family.
Steve is the visionary behind Banda Health. After two decades working as a doctor and hospital administrator in Africa, he has stories that will convince even the biggest skeptic of the impact that IT can have on African healthcare.
Steve’s personal healthcare hero is Irene Mundia, a licensed practical nurse at Mushima Rural Health Centre in Zambia.
Kevin is a passionate data enthusiast. He ensures that Banda Health can tell a story through their data. His vision is to serve as a gatekeeper for Banda’s data so that stakeholders can understand data and use it to make strategic business decisions. He has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Strathmore University.
Kevin’s personal healthcare hero is all the doctors and nurses giving it their all during the pandemic.
Kinya keeps all of the logistics working at Banda Health with 15 years of experience in the corporate and non-profit world and a lot of energy! A Texas A&M alum (Journalism and Economics), her laugh is infectious. She is passionate about expanding the global digital agenda to include social innovation in healthcare initiatives.
Kinya’s personal healthcare hero is Dr. Shelley Machuta, a Radiation Oncologist in Covington, GA.
Nelly is our “concepts expert.” She ensures that all the necessary terms for our clinical modules are mapped and submitted to CIEL (concept dictionary). She’s a clinical epidemiologist with a master’s degree in epidemiology and disease control.
Nelly’s personal healthcare hero is Dr. Steve Letchford at Kijabe Hospital.
Kevin is undoubtedly our most outgoing developer! Before joining Banda Health, he spent 5 years in software consulting, working as a developer and manager at Pariveda Solutions. He completed his bachelor’s in aerospace enginnering at the University of Texas.
Kevin’s personal healthcare hero is Kate B., a physical therapist at Evangel VVF Center in Jos, Nigeria.
Jessica keeps the team organized. Whether it’s filing tax forms or preparing board reports, she makes sure it gets done on time! Before joining Banda Health, Jessica used her organization skills at a soccer start-up in Germany. She graduated from Yale University with a bachelor’s in Ethics, Politics and Economics and completed her master’s in International Relations at the Free University of Berlin.
Jessica’s personal healthcare hero is Jairos Fumpa, a cataract surgeon at Mukinge Mission Hospital in Zambia.
Andrew makes sure the Nairobi team stays on track. He may seem quiet, but don’t underestimate his passion and expertise when it comes to health technology. He’s worked with leading businesses both in Kenya and internationally.
Andrew’s personal healthcare hero is Benedetta, a cashier at AIC Marira Clinic in Kenya.
Wes oversees all things technical. If you want a sneak peek at the roadmap, he’s your man! With 15 years of programming experience in the US private sector plus 5 years of technical consulting and team leadership, he definitely knows what he’s doing.
Wes’ personal healthcare heroes are the Christian medical missionaries working around the world.