VidaGás: Delivering better health to Northern Mozambique with LPG

  • Journal of Enterprising Communities, Volume 5, No. 1, Year 2011

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Study Justification:
– The purpose of this study is to examine how a pro-poor company, VidaGás, can improve health outcomes and environmental sustainability in Northern Mozambique.
– The study addresses the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 7, which focus on reducing child and maternal mortality and promoting environmental sustainability.
– By documenting the challenges and innovations employed by VidaGás, the study provides insights into the potential for social entrepreneurship to achieve development goals.
Study Highlights:
– Insufficient liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply and storage facilities, poor infrastructure, inadequate retailer training, and limited consumer knowledge are identified as threats to VidaGás’ success.
– VidaGás has implemented innovative solutions, including a cold chain for medicine storage, a complex supply chain for timely delivery, and leveraging local knowledge to promote LPG usage.
– The study emphasizes the need for a reliable LPG supply in Northern Mozambique and the importance of VidaGás becoming a revenue-generating entity within three years.
– VidaGás aims to increase LPG uptake among poor consumers, expand market access to commercial consumers, and raise additional capital.
Recommendations for Lay Reader and Policy Maker:
– Increase investment in LPG supply and storage facilities to ensure a reliable and sufficient LPG supply in Northern Mozambique.
– Improve industrial and commercial infrastructure to support the distribution and use of LPG.
– Enhance training programs for retailers to ensure safe and effective use of LPG.
– Implement awareness campaigns to educate consumers about the benefits of LPG and promote its usage.
– Support VidaGás in becoming a revenue-generating entity within three years by providing financial assistance or creating an enabling business environment.
Key Role Players:
– Government agencies responsible for energy and infrastructure development.
– Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in health and environmental sectors.
– LPG suppliers and distributors.
– Retailers and local communities.
– VidaGás and its management team.
Cost Items for Planning Recommendations:
– Investment in LPG supply and storage facilities.
– Infrastructure development, including transportation and distribution networks.
– Training programs for retailers.
– Awareness campaigns and educational materials.
– Financial assistance or incentives for VidaGás to become revenue-generating.
– Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of recommendations.

The strength of evidence for this abstract is 7 out of 10.
The evidence in the abstract is based on field research and includes findings and practical implications. However, the abstract does not provide specific details about the research methodology or the sample size. To improve the evidence, the abstract could include more information about the research design and provide quantitative data or statistics to support the findings.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to document the manner in which a pro-poor company can deliver ongoing health benefits and improve environmental sustainability in a manner that addresses child and maternal mortality (in line with millennium development goals 4, 5 and 7). Design/methodology/approach: Field research in Mozambique including 12 in-depth interviews with key personnel from December 2006 to January 2007. Findings: First, clear threats to the success of VidaGás’ pro-poor business model encompass insufficient liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) supply and storage facilities; poor industrial and commercial infrastructure in Northern Mozambique; inadequate training of retailers in LPG use; and inadequate consumer knowledge of the benefits of LPG. Second, key innovations employed by VidaGás to overcome these obstacles consist of the introduction of a novel cold chain to safeguard medicines; a complex supply chain to ensure timely delivery; and the exploitation of local knowledge and expertise to expand the uptake of LPG by Mozambicans. Practical implications: The case study focuses on a business problem with significant development implications. The challenge is to ensure a reliable supply of LPG in Northern Mozambique. To meet this challenge, VidaGás must achieve its stated goal of becoming a revenue-generating entity within three years. In order to create a viable market for LPG, VidaGás must not only increase the uptake of LPG by poor consumers, it must expand LPG market access to commercial consumers, while raising additional capital. Originality/value: The paper contributes to the literature on social entrepreneurship and demonstrates how to link for-profit business imperatives with development goals. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

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The paper recommends the development of a pro-poor business model called VidaGás to improve access to maternal health in Northern Mozambique. The model focuses on delivering ongoing health benefits and improving environmental sustainability, in line with the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 7.

To overcome the challenges faced by VidaGás, several key innovations are employed. These include introducing a novel cold chain to safeguard medicines, establishing a complex supply chain for timely delivery, and leveraging local knowledge and expertise to increase the uptake of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Mozambicans.

The practical implications of this case study highlight the need for a reliable supply of LPG in Northern Mozambique. VidaGás aims to become a revenue-generating entity within three years by creating a viable market for LPG. This involves increasing the uptake of LPG among poor consumers, expanding access to commercial consumers, and raising additional capital.

Overall, this paper contributes to the literature on social entrepreneurship by demonstrating how to align for-profit business imperatives with development goals, specifically in the context of improving access to maternal health.
AI Innovations Description
The recommendation described in the paper is to develop a pro-poor business model called VidaGás, which aims to improve access to maternal health in Northern Mozambique. The model focuses on delivering ongoing health benefits and improving environmental sustainability, in line with the Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 7.

To overcome the challenges faced by VidaGás, several key innovations are employed. These include introducing a novel cold chain to safeguard medicines, establishing a complex supply chain for timely delivery, and leveraging local knowledge and expertise to increase the uptake of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by Mozambicans.

The practical implications of this case study highlight the need for a reliable supply of LPG in Northern Mozambique. VidaGás aims to become a revenue-generating entity within three years by creating a viable market for LPG. This involves increasing the uptake of LPG among poor consumers, expanding access to commercial consumers, and raising additional capital.

Overall, this paper contributes to the literature on social entrepreneurship by demonstrating how to align for-profit business imperatives with development goals, specifically in the context of improving access to maternal health.
AI Innovations Methodology
The methodology to simulate the impact of the main recommendations in this abstract on improving access to maternal health could involve the following steps:

1. Data collection: Gather relevant data on the current state of maternal health in Northern Mozambique, including maternal mortality rates, access to healthcare facilities, and availability of maternal health services.

2. Define indicators: Identify key indicators that reflect the impact of the recommendations, such as the increase in the number of women accessing maternal health services, the reduction in maternal mortality rates, and the improvement in the availability of essential medicines.

3. Baseline assessment: Establish a baseline for the identified indicators before implementing the recommendations. This will serve as a reference point for measuring the impact of the interventions.

4. Intervention implementation: Implement the recommendations outlined in the abstract, including the development of the VidaGás pro-poor business model, the establishment of a reliable supply of LPG, and the expansion of LPG market access.

5. Monitoring and evaluation: Continuously monitor and evaluate the progress and outcomes of the implemented interventions. This can be done through regular data collection, surveys, and interviews with key stakeholders.

6. Impact assessment: Compare the indicators measured after the implementation of the recommendations with the baseline assessment. Analyze the data to determine the impact of the interventions on improving access to maternal health in Northern Mozambique.

7. Reporting and dissemination: Summarize the findings of the impact assessment in a report, highlighting the improvements achieved and the lessons learned. Disseminate the findings to relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, healthcare providers, and the community.

By following this methodology, researchers can simulate the impact of the recommendations outlined in the abstract and provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of the VidaGás model in improving access to maternal health in Northern Mozambique.

Statistics:
Citations: 5
Authors: 2
Identifiers:
DOI: 10.1108/17506201111119590
ISSN: 17506204
Research Areas:
Health System and Policy, Maternal and Child Health, Technology and Innovations
Study Countries:
Mozambique
Study Design:
Case Study
Study Approach:
Qualitative
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