scholarly journals Decentralized Renewable Hybrid Mini-Grids for Rural Communities: Culmination of the IREP Framework and Scale up to Urban Communities

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7411
Author(s):  
Blessing Ugwoke ◽  
Adedoyin Adeleke ◽  
Stefano P. Corgnati ◽  
Joshua M. Pearce ◽  
Pierluigi Leone
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Economic Modeling ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Waste Biomass ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Evaluation Tool ◽  
Business Model Canvas

The Integrated Rural Energy Planning (IREP) framework offers a unified road map for locating, planning and operating decentralized renewable hybrid off-grid energy systems for localized (rural) applications in low-income countries. This paper presents the culmination of the IREP framework and aims to illustrate the final step of the IREP framework for two communities in Nigeria. It is focused on two aspects. Firstly, the techno-economic modeling (investment and operation optimization) of a hybrid mini-grid system using HOMER Pro, a techno-economic evaluation tool; and evaluating the benefits of demand side management (DSM) based on energy efficiency on the overall system economics using a scenario-based approach. Secondly, the conceptualization of a sustainable business model using the business model canvas scheme to deliver measurable socio-economic impacts in these communities. The results provide valuable insights into rural electrification via renewable hybrid mini-grids powered primarily with solar photovoltaic technology. Transcending mere electricity access, electricity is provided for productive uses (considering disaggregated end-uses) by harnessing other dispatchable renewable energy resources such as waste biomass. Given high share of rural population in developing countries, these insights are applicable in these regions and further the realization of the United Nations’ goal of sustainable energy (SDG7) and sustainable cities and communities (SDG11).

Partnerships to Provide Critical Access; National Rural Infrastructure Programming in Rwanda

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devin Connell ◽  
Avery Bang ◽  
Nicola Turrini
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Access To Health Care ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Health Care Education ◽  
Long Span ◽  
Construction Techniques ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Market Opportunities

<p>Bridges to Prosperity (B2P) is an International Non-Government Organization (INGO) that constructs long- span, cable-supported footbridges for transportation connectivity in rural parts of low-income countries. By building footbridges over impassable rivers, B2P and their partners act as a catalyst in rural communities, providing access to health care, education and market opportunities.</p><p>Following a nation-wide Rwanda needs assessment that involved assessing over 1500 locations where communities reported an inability to access local services year-round, B2P partnered with the Rwandan Government to prioritize the sites that were technically feasible and high impact, culminating in a five-year MOU to co-finance up to 355 bridges to connect over 1.1 million rural Rwandese. The private engineering and construction sectors have played a key role in providing funding and support for this scale up and this paper will address the design innovations brought forth, resulting in lost-cost and low-tech infrastructure for rural applications. To demonstrate the importance of B2P’s Corporate Partnership program on their scale-up in Rwanda, this paper will discuss a few of the innovative design and construction techniques developed in these partnerships through a case study of the Uwarukara footbridge in Rwanda.</p>

scholarly journals Establishing Global School Feeding Program Targets: How Many Poor Children Globally Should Be Prioritized, and What Would Be the Cost of Implementation?

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley J. Drake ◽  
Nail Lazrak ◽  
Meena Fernandes ◽  
Kim Chu ◽  
Samrat Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
School Health ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Global Strategy ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
School Feeding

The creation of Human Capital is dependent upon good health and education throughout the first 8,000 days of life, but there is currently under-investment in health and nutrition after the first 1,000 days. Working with governments and partners, the UN World Food Program is leading a global scale up of investment in school health, and has undertaken a strategic analysis to explore the scale and cost of meeting the needs of the most disadvantaged school age children and adolescents in low and middle-income countries globally. Of the 663 million school children enrolled in school, 328 million live where the current coverage of school meals is inadequate (&lt;80%), of these, 251 million live in countries where there are significant nutrition deficits (&gt;20% anemia and stunting), and of these an estimated 73 million children in 60 countries are also living in extreme poverty (&lt;USD 1.97 per day). 62.7 million of these children are in Africa, and more than 66% live in low income countries, with a substantial minority in pockets of poverty in middle-income countries. The estimated overall financial requirement for school feeding is USD 4.7 billion, increasing to USD 5.8 billion annually if other essential school health interventions are included in the package. The DCP3 (Vol 8) school feeding edition and the global coverage numbers were launched in Tunis, 2018 by the WFP Executive Director, David Beasley. These estimates continue to inform the development of WFP's global strategy for school feeding.

scholarly journals Road Safety in Low-Income Countries: State of Knowledge and Future Directions

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shahram Heydari ◽  
Adrian Hickford ◽  
Rich McIlroy ◽  
Jeff Turner ◽  
Abdulgafoor M. Bachani
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Traffic Engineering ◽  
Road Safety ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Safety Data ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Behavioural Aspects ◽  
The Impact

Road safety in low-income countries (LICs) remains a major concern. Given the expected increase in traffic exposure due to the relatively rapid motorisation of transport in LICs, it is imperative to better understand the underlying mechanisms of road safety. This in turn will allow for planning cost-effective road safety improvement programs in a timely manner. With the general aim of improving road safety in LICs, this paper discusses the state of knowledge and proposes a number of future research directions developed from literature reviews and expert elicitation. Our study takes a holistic approach based on the Safe Systems framework and the framework for the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety. We focused mostly on examining the problem from traffic engineering and safety policy standpoints, but also touched upon other sectors, including public health and social sciences. We identified ten focus areas relating to (i) under-reporting; (ii) global best practices; (iii) vulnerable groups; (iv) disabilities; (v) road crash costing; (vi) vehicle safety; (vii) proactive approaches; (viii) data challenges; (ix) social/behavioural aspects; and (x) capacity building. Based on our findings, future research ought to focus on improvement of data systems, understanding the impact of and addressing non-fatal injuries, improving estimates on the economic burden, implementation research to scale up programs and transfer learnings, as well as capacity development. Our recommendations, which relate to both empirical and methodological frontiers, would lead to noteworthy improvements in the way road safety data collection and research is conducted in the context of LICs.

Baromeeter: the funding conundrum

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Surajit Ghosh Dastidar
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Food Services ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Academic Level ◽  
Business Model Canvas ◽  
Services Industry

Learning outcomes The learning outcomes are as follows: to understand the different options available for funding; to illustrate the growth of the food services industry in India; and to understand a business model canvas. Case overview/synopsis Baromeeter (BOM), was a Delhi-based startup founded in the year 2016 by Rishabh Vyas, a 26-year-old MBA graduate. Currently, BOM has operations in Delhi-NCR with 50,000 monthly website visitors and 200-plus partner restaurants and cafes in Delhi-NCR with brands such as Imperfecto, Junkyard Café, Garam Dharam, Out of the Box, Boombox, Jungle Jamboree and many more. BOM also receives over 1,000 deal bookings and 200 plus party bookings monthly. Going forward, Rishabh has plans to expand to other cities such as Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune and Bangalore. However, there are certain challenges. So far, the startup has raised funds from friends and families. He was confident that he had a compelling product. However, he knew he had to look for fresh investments to scale up. The existing funds may sustain the operations of the company for another six months. Rishabh was considering a number of options. However, whom to approach? Would banks be interested in lending money? How about participating in angel investor’s meet? Complexity academic level The case is suitable for a course in graduate and an undergraduate course in entrepreneurship. The case can be used to understand the business model canvas and to understand the funding options available for startups. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Subject code CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.

scholarly journals Factors that influence the scale up of new interventions in low-income settings: a qualitative case study of the introduction of chlorhexidine cleansing of the umbilical cord in Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-451
Author(s):  
Jennifer A Callaghan-Koru ◽  
Munia Islam ◽  
Marufa Khan ◽  
Ardy Sowe ◽  
Jahrul Islam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
National Level ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
New Drugs ◽  
Low Income Countries

Abstract There is a well-recognized need for empirical study of processes and factors that influence scale up of evidence-based interventions in low-income countries to address the ‘know-do’ gap. We undertook a qualitative case study of the scale up of chlorhexidine cleansing of the umbilical cord (CHX) in Bangladesh to identify and compare facilitators and barriers for the institutionalization and expansion stages of scale up. Data collection and analysis for this case study were informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and the WHO/ExpandNet model of scale up. At the national level, we interviewed 20 stakeholders involved in CHX policy or implementation. At the district level, we conducted interviews with 31 facility-based healthcare providers in five districts and focus group discussions (FGDs) with eight community-based providers and eight programme managers. At the community level, we conducted 7 FGDs with 53 mothers who had a baby within the past year. Expanded interview notes were thematically coded and analysed following an adapted Framework approach. National stakeholders identified external policy and incentives, and the engagement of stakeholders in policy development through the National Technical Working Committee for Newborn Health, as key facilitators for policy and health systems changes. Stakeholders, providers and families perceived the intervention to be simple, safe and effective, and more consistent with family preferences than the prior policy of dry cord care. The major barriers that delayed or decreased the public health impact of the scale up of CHX in Bangladesh’s public health system related to commodity production, procurement and distribution. Bangladesh’s experience scaling up CHX suggests that scale up should involve early needs assessments and planning for institutionalizing new drugs and commodities into the supply chain. While the five CFIR domains were useful for categorizing barriers and facilitators, additional constructs are needed for common health systems barriers in low-income settings.

scholarly journals Cervical cancer testing among women aged 30–49 years in the WHO European Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne Williams ◽  
Ivo Rakovac ◽  
Jocelyn Victoria ◽  
Tatiana Tatarinova ◽  
Marilys Corbex ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Eastern Europe ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
European Region ◽  
Screening Programs ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background Screening programs play an important role in a comprehensive strategy to prevent cervical cancer, a leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of information about rates of cervical cancer testing, particularly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia where levels of cervical cancer are among the highest in the WHO European Region. The purpose of this article is to report on the lifetime prevalence of cervical cancer testing among females aged 30–49 years from across the WHO European region, and to describe high-level geographic and socioeconomic differences. Methods We used data from the European Health Information Survey and the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance survey to calculate the proportions of women who were tested for cervical cancer. Results The percentage of tested women ranged from 11.7% in Azerbaijan to 98.4% in Finland, with the lowest percentages observed in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Testing was lower in Eastern Europe (compared to Western Europe), among low-income countries and among women with lower levels of education. Conclusion Effective cervical cancer screening programs are one part of a larger strategy, which must also include national scale-up of human papilloma virus vaccination, screening and treatment.

scholarly journals Approaches at Community Level for Care of the Preterm Neonates in Low-Income Countries

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pontius Bayo ◽  
Juliet Ajok
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Preterm Neonates ◽  
Preterm Babies

The survival of preterm babies has significantly improved over the last several decades in the high-income countries because of the availability of Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU’s) in both large and small hospitals, presence of specially trained physicians, nurses, and other health care personnel with easy access to sophisticated equipment. However, the bigger public health advances that saw improvements in socio-economic status of the populations, improvements in education and sanitation conditions and reductions in malnutrition and rates of infectious diseases were probably the main reasons for this improved survival rates for preterm neonates. Low in-come countries are currently highest bearers of the burden of preterm morbidity and mortality. The current preventive and care interventions do not reach all the neonates and their mothers, the coverage has remained low, access is poor and the quality of care is low. The aim of this chapter is to propose ideas on how the current preterm neonatal care interventions can be adapted for community scale up through community-based health system structures like community health workers to improve survival of neonates who have been delivered from home or after they have been discharged from hospital.

Current status of HIV treatment in Asia and the Pacific region

Sexual Health ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angsana Phuphuakrat ◽  
Sasisopin Kiertiburanakul ◽  
Somnuek Sungkanuparph
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Universal Access ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
High Income ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Current Status ◽  
People Living With Hiv ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Living With Hiv

Asia and the Pacific represent a diverse group of nations facing HIV epidemic profiles of differing severity. Compared to other parts of the world, the burden of HIV disease is high in this region because of its large populations. At the end of 2011, 5 million people were living with HIV in Asia and the Pacific. This accounted for 15% of people living with HIV worldwide. The prevalence of people living with HIV, as well as access to HIV treatment and care, varies widely between countries. Differences between high-income economies and the rest of the continent are remarkable. Many high-income countries provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) to their citizens. Middle- and low-income countries have rapid ART scale-up and are dependent on international funding. This may compromise the sustainability of ART availability. In addition, lack of access to second- and third-line therapy remains a problem in many countries. The global goal of achieving universal access to ART by 2015 requires mainly low- and middle-income countries to be targeted. Regional policy should be developed in order to identify new infections in key populations, to start earlier treatment, to retain patients in care and to maintain funding.

scholarly journals Challenges and opportunities to improve autism services in low-income countries: lessons from a situational analysis in Ethiopia

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Tekola ◽  
Y. Baheretibeb ◽  
I. Roth ◽  
D. Tilahun ◽  
A. Fekadu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Developmental Disorders ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Capital City ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Situational Analysis

Background.Little has been reported about service provision for children with autism in low-income countries. This study explored the current service provision for children with autism and their families in Ethiopia, the existing challenges and urgent needs, and stakeholders’ views on the best approaches to further develop services.Methods.A situational analysis was conducted based on (i) qualitative interviews with existing service providers; (ii) consultation with a wider group of stakeholders through two stakeholder workshops; and (iii) information available in the public domain. Findings were triangulated where possible.Results.Existing diagnostic and educational services for children with autism are scarce and largely confined to Ethiopia's capital city, with little provision in rural areas. Families of children with autism experience practical and psychosocial challenges, including severe stigma. Informants further raised the lack of culturally and contextually appropriate autism instruments as an important problem to be addressed. The study informants and local stakeholders provided several approaches for future service provision expansion, including service decentralisation, mental health training and awareness raising initiatives.Conclusions.Services for children with autism in Ethiopia are extremely limited; appropriate care for these children is further impeded by stigma and lack of awareness. Ethiopia's plans to scale up mental healthcare integrated into primary care provide an opportunity to expand services for children with autism and other developmental disorders. These plans, together with the additional strategies outlined in this paper can help to address the current service provision gaps and may also inform service enhancement approaches in other low-income countries.

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