Development of appropriate technologies and microfranchising in the medical field.

In Peru and Latin America there are no enterprises devoted to the development of appropriate technology in the medical field. However, there are successful examples of businesses that produce appropriate technology for this sector, for instance, in India, documented by the World Bank and the World Health Organization.This equipment is underused due to their complex design. Usually, when donated they remain stored for this reason. The reasons for this underuse also include:
1) The staff find it difficult to manage that equipment,
2) The repair demands for imported spare parts and highly qualified technicians not available in a developing country like Peru.

We intend to train companies to design, manufacture and maintain medical equipment with appropriate technologies and low costs, easily assembled and transported, and requiring no special maintenance. The research and development stage involves approximately 2 years of work for each model. We plan to grant microfranchises for the local implementation of the project.

Health care is provided by the public and private systems, although the bottom of the pyramid is assisted by the public health system of the Ministry of Health and ESSALUD, the Peruvian Social Security System.

There is a huge gap between access to health in metropolitan and rural areas. We plan to develop technological apparatuses that make a real difference in price and design, which allows for medical assistance access to the bottom of the social pyramid.

We have already developed a set of designs to be implemented by local enterprises. Traditional incubators cost around USD 25,000, whereas our incubator is aimed to cost USD 150. Odontological equipment costs around USD 8,000 and we plan to charge USD 100 for our model. Our estimated price for the equipment to assist vertical birth is USD 45. Due to being medical apparatuses, they go through a strict quality analysis process.

There are successful experiences in the creation of inclusive businesses that offer medical assistance to the bottom of a country’s pyramid. Many of these cases have been documented by the World Bank.

This initiative has been developed by two local organizations, Quantum Solutions, a think tank and incubator of social initiatives, and Nutriprosalud, an NGO specialized in health and nutrition.