The Backpack PLUS Toolkit is a set of solutions aimed at empowering and supporting CHWs, widely recognized to being a crucial resource for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to health. It includes key drugs and supplies used by CHWs as well as plans for “soft” elements, such as training and access to supervisors. For some people, the only link to the health system may be through CHWs: often unpaid volunteers who work at the ‘last mile’ of health delivery. When deployed well, CHWs can reduce child mortality in communities by 25 percent or more. Read more about the Backpack PLUS project and its phases here Read more about the outcomes of the first phase of the Backpack PLUS initiative: CHW Backpack Plus Phase 1 Report Partners: UNICEF, Save the Children, One Million Community Health Worker Campaign, MDG Health AllianceSeven million children are estimated to die every year due to lack of basic health resources. Community Health Workers (CHWs)—often unpaid volunteers—are frequently the last-mile of hope for many young patients dealing with malaria, pneumonia and diarrhea.

UNICEF, the MDG Health Alliance, and frog collaborated with more than 60 organizations over a four-month period to shape a set of holistic solutions intended to empower and activate CHWs. frog conducted extensive design research in Uganda and Senegal to better understand the real-world needs of CHWs. The team uncovered a broad range of obstacles, from a lack of regular training sessions and access to crucial medical supplies, to fragmented data management systems. Additionally, CHWs have their role regularly questioned by the greater healthcare system around them. Following a human-centered innovation process, the team directly involved CHWs in the design of new tools and solutions aimed at improving the quality of service they provide to their communities. Based on the research, frog identified CHW archetypes and created an integrated toolkit comprised of key physical, digital, and service-level components required to elevate the effectiveness of CHWs. The Backpack PLUS toolkit includes a set of strategic frameworks aimed at mapping and supporting CHW programs.

These strategic assets are complemented by diagnostic aids to remind CHWs of the key steps to follow before, during, and after a patient visit. aurielle backpack leatherConsistent packing design helps CHWs work more efficiently. weekday mtwtfss backpackSmartphone-based digital solutions complete the package to help CHWs effectively diagnose patients, restock their supplies, and report on their visits. samsonite laptop backpack tectonic largeTo close the loop, an iconic CHW emblem establishes quality of service and value delivered to communities.alliance mini backpack zwemtas

The Backpack PLUS toolkit is a first step to help CHWs deliver the core healthcare services often sorely lacking in vulnerable communities all around the world.especial cuatro backpack review The Backpack PLUS project is a multi-phase initiative intended to develop a set of solutions that empowers community health workers (CHWs) and enhances their ability to save lives. tamrac jazz backpackThese solutions include creation of a physical prototype kit as well as an improved ‘operating system’ of better training, supervision, incentives, and supply chain management. The blog includes reports and images from the team’s field work in Uganda and Senegal as well as updates from initial workshops in New York and Kampala. Backpack PLUS is intended to become a symbol for the CHW community and is seeking to align partners and facilitate dialogue.

The initiative is supported by a range of organizations from across the corporate, non-profit, and public sectors. The innovative approach that the Backpack PLUS project is taking to develop optimal supply chain management solutions for CHWs is essential to the vision of professionalized CHW cadres that is endorsed by the One Million CHW Campaign. Additionally, the Campaign is collaborating with Backpack PLUS to collate a set of best practices for the scale up of CHW programs in low income countries.The Backpack PLUS Collaboration – a joint initiative between UNICEF, Save the Children, the MDG Health Alliance, the One Million Community Health Worker Campaign, and many other partners – has created a set of tools, including a holistic framework and prototype kit – aimed at empowering and supporting Community Health Workers (CHWs).  CHWs are widely recognized as a crucial resource to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) health goals. To increase their impact on child mortality, improve effectiveness and boost efficiency, Community Health Workers need holistic solutions that address their daily and long-term needs. 

Backpack PLUS  (BP+) offers an approach towards a comprehensive and systemic solution to achieve these ambitious goals and is intended to support and work alongside existing tools and approaches used by partners and countries. Phase 1 of the BP+ Project relied on a human-centered design process to shape solutions for CHWs that are based on a deep understanding of their real-world needs. A team of designers from Frog Design undertook extensive field research to get first hand exposure to CHWs and their day-to-day experience. The Frog team used techniques derived from anthropology and ethnography  to assess the quality of the tools currently provided to CHWs and to identify pain points and potential solutions. As developed, the Backpack PLUS framework is a CHW-centric model that identifies all the essential physical, digital and service-level components required to empower and activate CHWs along their journey. The Backpack PLUS physical kit and storage box contains a basic package of commodities, diagnostics, tools and enablers for Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM) that can serve as a reference point for countries developing their CHW and iCCM programs.