Last week, we had the unique opportunity to collaborate on-site in Nepal with local partners and innovative Swiss companies.
Our Goal: To co-create new, sustainable digital healthcare solutions together with Health at Home, local healthcare providers, and technology partners.
Just as we do with our Swiss customers and the heyCommunity, we also want to achieve more together in Nepal—for better access to intuitive and affordable healthcare services.
A Big Thank You to Everyone Involved
A heartfelt thank you to the University of St.Gallen (CSI-HSG) for the excellent coordination and moderation of the workshops, which enabled us to quickly transform needs and challenges into concrete solution approaches.
We also extend our gratitude to the Swiss Embassy in Nepal, which, through the DIGI Nepal Initiative, has provided the momentum for this project and digital innovation in healthcare.
A special highlight was the exchange with the management and staff of Grande International Hospital in Kathmandu as well as the manager Health at Home, Dr. Bishal Dhakal and his team.
We gained extensive insights, held numerous discussions, and were deeply impressed by the commitment and quality of care at Grande Intl Hospital, a private hospital with multiple awards. A particularly memorable moment was enjoying the breathtaking Kathmandu panorama from the hospital’s helicopter landing pad.
During two home visits, we had the opportunity to engage directly with patients. Additionally, another clinic visit and our collaboration with a local partner provided us with valuable insights into local challenges, which we integrated into our project.
Co-Creation through Field Visits and an Innovation Sprint
The two other teams, focusing on AgroTech and FinTech, also conducted field trips and engaged in valuable discussions. During the workshops, findings were exchanged and presented.
Once again, it became clear how crucial it is to embed innovative technologies within the local context to achieve sustainable and impactful improvements.
In the final Innovation Sprint, led by the CSI team, we brought together all the individual pieces to form a first cohesive concept, sharpening the overall vision at a high level.
Cultural Insights and a Packed Program
The intensive workshop days were complemented by temple visits and shared dinners. Immersing ourselves in the local culture enriched our understanding and strengthened the foundation for cross-country collaboration.
Concrete Approaches for Solutions
A key learning from our field visits was that around 80% of medical treatments in Nepal are paid directly by patients or their families. This can lead to severe financial distress or even poverty traps, particularly in cases of hospital stays or long-term illnesses.
Additionally, there are very few general practitioners in Nepal, meaning that patients often incur high costs for unnecessary or ineffective treatments due to a lack of professional consultation.
This is where we aim to make a difference. We firmly believe that the right solution can significantly improve the quality of life for disadvantaged communities and remote areas by providing easier access to healthcare services.
Next Steps
During the on-site workshops, we were already able to develop initial solution ideas from different perspectives, including a high-level business model.
Now, the focus is on concretizing implementation and developing a detailed action plan. We will continue to collaborate through virtual workshops.
Exciting times ahead! Follow us for more insights and findings from this volunteer project.
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