Kigali Cardiovascular Challenge: Community Engagement and Impact

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally, claiming an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. The burden of these conditions is especially heavy in developing countries like Rwanda, where hypertension is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases. Unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumption are significant behavioral risk factors that can lead to raised blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and obesity. These intermediate risk factors can be detected through community outreach and primary care facilities, indicating an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and other complications.

The Lifesten Initiative

Lifesten Health, through its “Kigali Cardiovascular Health Challenge,” aims to address the cardiovascular health education and screening needs of individuals in Rwanda, specifically within Kigali City. The project leverages technology to enable remote and accessible cardiovascular health education and screening for the population. Funded by the Novartis Foundation and managed by HealthTechHub Africa through Bridge for Billions, the initiative seeks to expand remote screening and enhance cardiovascular disease awareness through community education, diagnosis, and improved referral pathways for better healthcare outcomes.

Key Objectives and Achievements

The project has two primary objectives:

1. Expand Remote Screening: Utilize the Lifesten mobile application to facilitate remote health screenings.
2. Enhance Cardiovascular Disease Awareness: Provide education, diagnosis, and improve referral pathways.

Significant milestones include:

• Reaching over 1.6 million individuals through community education and media awareness campaigns

• Screening and Reaching more than 75,000 people in the community
• Conducting screenings and educational sessions at universities, colleges, and health facilities.

The community welcomed the project, particularly the ability to perform remote screenings and track health information. Many community members shared positive stories about their experiences.

Testimonials from Participants

“I thank the Lifesten Agent. I was diagnosed with elevated blood pressure (hypertension) and no one had ever explained the effects of hypertension to me. Thanks to the Lifesten Health team, I was educated about the consequences of high blood pressure, started taking medication, and now I can track my blood pressure through the app.” – Lifesten Health Project Participant

“The Lifesten Health App is excellent. It has helped me access various healthcare services, including nutrition consultation and gym sessions from their partners, which have been instrumental in managing my high blood pressure.” – Lifesten Community Beneficiary

Community Strengthening

The Rwandan government is committed to addressing the burden of non-communicable diseases. The country has implemented an integrated and decentralized chronic care model for the most common NCDs and CVDs across all levels of care, including district hospitals and primary healthcare centers. Lifesten Health complements these efforts by providing education and screening services both in the community and remotely. Partnerships with strategic and impactful technological solutions enable Lifesten to deliver high-quality healthcare services to the community.

Challenges Faced

The project encountered several challenges, including:

• Initial Resistance: Skepticism towards the Lifesten app required extensive education and awareness campaigns to demonstrate its benefits.
• Internet Strength and Stability: Some core features of the Lifesten Health App, such as transdermal optical imaging, require strong and stable internet connectivity. However, less than 20% of the local at-risk population has access to reliable internet services, limiting the app’s effectiveness.
• Smartphone Usage: Limited access to smartphones posed a challenge in reaching a broader audience.
• Community Mobilization: Engaging local leaders and mobilizing the community proved difficult initially, necessitating persistent efforts to build trust and cooperation.

Lessons Learned

The implementation of the Kigali Cardiovascular Challenge project provided several valuable lessons:

• Community-Centered Solutions: Effective outcomes are achieved by working closely with the community and addressing the most pressing health issues. Solutions should be tailored to community needs and involve local leaders and partners.
• Collaboration with Regulators: Close collaboration with regulators to develop systems and frameworks conducive to innovation is vital, especially in new markets.
• Partnering with Established Players: Collaborating with larger organizations, such as the Healthtech Hub, provides credibility and access to vital networks, helping navigate regulatory and partnership hurdles.
• Community Engagement: Active participation in community initiatives builds trust and fosters positive relationships with local stakeholders, raising awareness and enhancing the program’s impact.

Conclusion

Lifesten Health’s “Kigali Cardiovascular Health Challenge” highlights the importance of leveraging technology for remote health education and screening. Despite the challenges faced, the project has made significant strides in improving cardiovascular health awareness and screening in Kigali. Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, and a commitment to continuous improvement, Lifesten Health is making a meaningful impact on the fight against cardiovascular diseases in Rwanda. This initiative not only enhances the overall health and well-being of the population but also sets a precedent for future HealthTech innovations in emerging markets.