LifeNet International

Guided by the belief that every individual deserves an equal opportunity to lead a healthy and whole life, LifeNet improves the quality of health systems from the ground up. We are dedicated to health systems strengthening. LifeNet International exists to transform healthcare in Africa and to save lives through the hands of local healthcare providers. We bring practical knowledge, tools, and resources into the hands of the health workers who need them. In 2012, LifeNet launched its model of equipping and empowering existing local health facilities in sub-Saharan Africa to care for their patients in compassionate, sustainable, and medically-sound ways. LifeNet primarily builds capacity through hands-on training, equipment and pharmaceutical supply, supportive supervision, and quality assurance.

Since launching Burundi operations in 2012 with 10 health center partners, our network has grown to 244 facilities in Burundi, Uganda, the DRC, and Malawi, together seeing over 4,000,000 patient visits per year. By 2023, we plan to work in 1,000 health centers across 10 African countries, transforming care for over 10,000,000 patient visits per year.

At the core of the LifeNet model is the belief that equipped and empowered local healthcare providers are the keys to transforming healthcare in Africa. To that end, LifeNet developed the following package of interventions, including medical and management training, pharmaceutical & equipment access, digital support, and supportive supervision

Medical/Clinical Training: LifeNet’s five modules of in-person medical training and mentoring in clinical best practices are based on internationally recognized standards of care and directly address leading causes of maternal, infant, and child death. Through this hands-on education, LifeNet equips health workers with the knowledge and tools they need to provide safe, effective, and evidence-based care to patients. The modules of training include maternal and neonatal best practices, nursing basics, infection prevention, disease diagnosis and treatment, chronic disease care, non-communicable disease care, and much more.

Management Training: LifeNet’s four modules of management training improve institutional financial sustainability and ensure that health facilities can operate well. LifeNet equips staff members with practical training in financial management, human resource management, inventory management, logistics, and administrative best practices.

Pharmaceutical & Equipment Supply: LifeNet effectively delivers essential medicines and medical equipment to facilities and trains health workers in the proper use and maintenance of equipment, safeguarding the long-term use and effectiveness of each piece of equipment.

Supportive Supervision: Alongside training, LifeNet provides supportive supervision to staff in each partner health facility, offering tailored mentoring and coaching to health workers to augment the training they receive. With data gathered through rigorous monitoring and evaluation processes, LifeNet trainers can provide in-service training that is tailored to health workers in each facility. Supportive supervision includes follow-up lessons to reinforce what is learned through the training curricula as well as learning reinforcement tools including checklists and posters.

Digital Support: Our partners receive access to digital support through LifeNet’s digitally-enabled coaching and training. Through LifeNet’s WhatsApp chatbot, healthcare workers can quickly and easily ask questions and access essential information through their mobile phones. This chatbot is designed for COVID-19 response but may be adapted by our digital team with additional essential information. LifeNet's curriculum is also digitally enabled through the Moodle learning platform, which brings LifeNet's medical and management training into digital form, including videos. This digitally enabled training serves as a learning reinforcement for partners as well as makes it possible to continue training if traveling to a facility is prevented due to weather, security issues, or country lock-downs.

LifeNet has continued to succeed in its mission through the dedication of its leadership and employees, the continued innovation within its business model, and the continued support of funders who believe in LifeNet's theory of change.

Since launching Burundi operations in 2012 with 10 health center partners, our network has grown to 130 facilities in Burundi, Uganda the DRC, and Malawi. Together these health facilities see over 1,000,000 patient visits per year. By 2025, we plan to work in 1,000 health centers across 10 African countries, transforming care for over 20,000,000 patient visits.