Giving Compass' Take:

• Alinafe Kasiya of VillageReach discusses the program's work to build greater health care access in Malawi, and how technology has helped bring better outcomes to the community and created more proximity.

• Many NGOs can take a page out of the VillageReach handbook when it comes to data capture and analysis, but the most important takeaway is how listening to community members has informed strategy.

• Read about the role of partnerships in making an impact on health care in Africa.

Izizi ndi Zathu Zomwe. This is ours. That’s the name my team of adolescent researchers has given a groundbreaking public health initiative — a close study of their peers’ needs, behaviors, and preferences related to contraceptives. That name signals the importance of the qualitative, context-specific information required to succeed in such an initiative — proximity is necessary to develop the new approaches that will improve healthcare access for all. The data from this study will assist product manufacturers and policy stakeholders to address the unique and specific contraceptive needs of young people.

At VillageReach, proximity is multi-dimensional. It must mean nearness in relationship as well as nearness in space and time. Shared ownership allows organizations to truly see and represent the individuals they serve.

Social entrepreneurs have become skilled at finding creative ways to bridge geographic proximity. In Malawi, we are building on a rich history of leapfrogging technologies that can overcome distance in low-resource settings. Data capture and analysis are helping ensure the right health products are available at the right time in the right places. UAVs are being tested to address the availability of blood in emergencies, access to routine health products, and early diagnosis and treatment of infectious disease. Ultimately, these technologies will help create a more responsive health system that can better manage current and emerging public health threats.

Read the full article about bridging distance with technology by Alinafe Kasiya at Skoll.