Critical SWOT analysis of fresh fruit handling practices by traders in Uganda’s Capital City. A rapid cross-sectional study

Poor fruit handling practices causes physical damage to fruits and exposes them to pathogenic microbial contamination with Salmonella spp, E. coli and Vibrio spp. These contribute to food borne illnesses such as Salmonellosis, Shigellosis, Cholera, E. coli O157:H7 infection Campylobacteriosis among others. An estimated 14 percent of all diseases registered at health centers are food borne related in Uganda making this a public health concern. The economic burden of foodborne diseases was estimated at about 300 million United States Dollars in 2016. A rapid cross-sectional study was conducted using a SWOT framework to understand the fruit handling practices by traders in one of the markets in Uganda’s Capital City (Kampala). Our study showed that there existed some strengths such as Presence of an established market leadership and presence of organized registered and unregistered trade and social groups. Furthermore, there existed weaknesses that needed immediate attention such as (a) lack of clean water, (b) selling fruits on dirty market floor which exposes consumers to contaminated fruits, (c) disposal of spoilt fruits in open waste areas contaminates the soil, clogs drainage channels, creates a bad smell in the market and attracts rodents to feed on disposed fruits. We therefore recommend, establishing a ‘One Health’ market task force made up of traders, suppliers, farmers, consumers, local council, public health scientists and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) that can work with Ministry of Local Governments and Ministry of Health to train traders to implement appropriate fruit handling practices as detailed in KCCA market laws. The One Health task force can work with Ministry of Science and Technology to design and develop tools such as insulated fruit crates, raised fruit stands, and closed waste bins that could be used by market traders to improve fruit hygiene practices. The One health market taskforce will be in position to link with private international organizations such WASH international to draft proposals to provision for free clean water for the market which could improve fruit hygiene and market sanitation.

Impact on Pharmaceutical Industry due to Sudden Pandemic Attack (COVID-19)

: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) was first detected in Wuhan, China, in the month of December 2019. Further, in March 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic was described by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as a global pandemic. COVID-19 quickly spread around the world in the following months, affecting about 2.5 million individuals by April 2020. World markets, including the pharmaceutical industry, were devastated by this pandemic. Although no specific solution for this emerging infectious disease is currently available, the pharmaceutical industry is helping policymakers meet unmet COVID-19 desires, ranging from research and advancement initiatives on possible prevention methods to the management of the supply chain of drugs in times of crisis. Changes in demand, commodity shortages, contact adjustments, etc., are hindering developments in the mechanism of technology, research and development and are putting an impact on the health market of COVID-19. Other implications of COVID-19 on the physical condition and pharmaceutical market may include acceptance delays, heading to self-sufficiency in the delivery chain, etc. In addition, the pharmaceutical markets are battling to sustain natural consumer flows, as the latest pandemic has had an effect on access to essential drugs at reasonable rates, which is the key priority of all pharmaceutical systems.

A review on vaccines – benefits and risks

The article outlines the benefits and risks of vaccines. Vaccine safety and myths and misinformation, the general review of the importance of the vaccines. Steps involved in the Development of Vaccines and also illustrates the immunization importance and its disadvantages. Administration of vaccines in different age groups. Classification of different available vaccines in the health market. Also stating the possible adverse drug reactions / potential side effects of the vaccines and their monitoring and management of adrs. We concluded that Vaccine acceptance must be widespread in order to provide herd immunity so that individuals who cannot be directly protected by vaccination are protected by communal immunity. The danger is quite low, and the advantages of vaccinations usually outweigh it.

Blockchain adoption in health market: a systems thinking and modelling approach

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to formulate strategic interventions that can contribute to adoption of blockchain in Asian health market. Design/methodology/approach A methodological framework based on the three qualitative phases of the systems thinking and modelling methodology, namely, problem structuring, causal loop modelling and developing strategic interventions were used. Data was collected using thirty interviews and secondary research. Findings The reference model developed in the study captured the system behavior, showing health market blockchain adoption increasing in other countries but struggling in Asia. The qualitative systems model developed explained this behavior by capturing the underlying system structure using six interconnected feedback loops. Three strategic interventions were formulated to change the system structure to improve its adoption. Research limitations/implications This study acknowledges its limitation that blockchain integration in health supply chain management (SCM) and adaptability to technological trends are just few elements that contributes to challenges in blockchain adoption in Asia Pacific health market . It also acknowledges the limited scale of this study using 30 interviews with a narrow set of stakeholders, limiting its generalisability. Practical implications Although the blockchain technology has medical data security benefits, its integration in health SCM could potentially improve cost of health service delivery to patient. Not only it prevents drug counterfeiting, it enhances patient’s safety by reducing the time it takes to alert the supply chain of a product recall from few days to few seconds. Social implications “Blockchain-as-a-Service” has wide applications in SCM, identity management, payments, smart contracts, governance risk and compliance management, with its market size expected to grow in future. This affordable solution opens up the roads for future empirical research for information systems academicians and information technology practitioners. Originality/value This research provides a holistic analysis of the challenges facing blockchain adoption in the health market for Asia. It offers a methodological approach based on systems thinking and modelling to improve its adoption.

Proposta de modelo assistencial para uma operadora de saúde suplementar em expansão na cidade de São Paulo

Proposal for an assistance model for an expanding supplementary health company in the city of São PauloIntrodução: O sistema de saúde suplementar enfrenta atualmente, assim como o setor público, os efeitos do aumento dos custos assistenciais. O setor saúde é influenciado pelo cenário econômico e sua atividade contribui com a geração de empregos e renda, e estimula o crescimento em investimentos e capital. O incremento das despesas neste segmento, está associado ao envelhecimento da população, às mudanças no perfil de consumo dos produtos de saúde, à incorporação de novas tecnologias, à falta de eficiência das ações preventivas e aos modelos de remuneração. Dessa forma, as operadoras passam a transformar as maneiras de ofertar cuidados através de novas diretrizes que buscam otimizar recursos e obter melhores resultados assistenciais, e assim, sustentabilidade no mercado de saúde privado. Objetivos: O presente trabalho visa propor a uma operadora de saúde privada em expansão de atividades um modelo assistencial baseado em referenciais teóricos e nas práticas do mercado de saúde suplementar atual. Método: Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa com estratégia de estudo de caso. A análise descreve a operadora e suas características e detalha opções de modelo assistencial a serem aplicados em função da expansão do número de beneficiários. Resultados: A proposta de modelo para abordagem assistencial incluiu o foco em estrutura de atenção primária, a implantação de unidades de transição e cuidados paliativos e a prática de saúde integrativa. Conclusões: O estudo propõe alternativas para inserir o paciente no centro do cuidado e buscar melhor experiência, valor e fidelidade do cliente. A proximidade de equipe multidisciplinar exclusiva aos pacientes favorece, aliada ao segmento de diretrizes clínicas de indicadores processuais, o monitoramento sobre a utilização dos serviços disponíveis no sistema e a avaliação dos resultados operacionais.Palavras-chaves: Saúde Suplementar, Gestão em Saúde, Governança Clínica, Planejamento em Saúde, Sistemas de Saúde, Doenças Crônicas. ABSTRACTIntroduction: The supplementary health system is currently facing, as well as the public system, the effects of rising health care costs. The health sector is affected by the economic scenario and its activity contributes to generation of jobs, income, and stimulates growth in investments and capital. The increase in expenses in this segment is associated with ageing of population, changes in the consumption profile of health products, the incorporation of new technologies, the lack of efficiency in preventive actions and payment models. Thus, health companies begin to transform the ways of offering care through new guidelines that seek to optimize resources and obtain better care results, and thus, sustainability in the private health market. Objectives: The present study aims to propose to a private health operator in expansion of activities a care model based on theoretical references and on the practices of the current supplementary health market. Method: It is a qualitative research with a case study strategy. The analysis describes the company and its characteristics and details care model options to be applied due to the expansion in the number of customers. Results: The proposed model for the care approach included the focus on primary care structure, the implementation of transition units and palliative care and the practice of integrative health. Conclusions: The study proposes alternatives to insert patient centered care and seek better experience, value and customer loyalty. The proximity of an exclusive multidisciplinary team to patients favors, together with the segment of clinical guidelines for procedural indicators, the monitoring of the use of services available in the system and the evaluation of operational results.Keywords: Supplemental Health. Health management. Clinical Governance. Health Planning. Health Systems. Chronic Diseases.

Use of Apps in Pharmacy as a Communication tool

In Germany, around 58 million people currently use a smartphone. 1 Not to use this communicative access to potential customers on the part of the health market would not only be negligent, but also unrealistic. Digitalization in the health sector has developed strongly in many areas in recent years and is described with different terms. These include 'e-health', 'digital health' or 'health 2.0'. However, all these terms mean the same thing: techniques and digital applications for preventing, improving and maintaining the health of the population. The tools of this technology are websites, portals, forums and, above all, apps. They are all intended to support people in actively shaping their health. 2

The Association Between French Veterinary Practice Characteristics and Their Revenues and Veterinarian's Time Use

The provision of healthcare by veterinarians consists of a blend of activities ensuring welfare for animals. It also contributes in the control of infectious diseases and food safety. In general practices, most of the activities generate incomes for veterinarians, notably acts (consultations, surgery, etc.) and sales (drugs, pet food, etc.). Increased size of veterinary practices and the arrival of corporate companies modify the veterinary landscape in many countries. In a context of rapid growth of the companion animal health market, the question of the profitability of veterinary activities is relevant. Indeed, beyond a certain threshold, veterinarians may be tempted to leave behind food-producing animals' acts and focus on companion animals' acts, which are generally recognized to be more profitable and more attractive for new generations of veterinarians. A survey was conducted in French veterinary mixed practices, and a regression analysis was used to quantify the relationships between the turnover and the characteristics of veterinary practices, the time to perform veterinary acts, and the characteristics of veterinarians. We found that the characteristics of veterinary practices are positively associated with the turnover and the price of acts, and that there was an association between the status of veterinarians (associate, collaborator, or employee) and the time required to perform companion animals' and food-producing animals' acts. The present study is the first study showing the association between the characteristics of veterinary practices and the turnover, by investigating the price of veterinary acts and the time required.