Spice

Digital health platform for patients, CHWs, and healthcare providers in low-resource settings.

Past and Current Partners

UN Technology Bank for LDCs, GIZ / BMZ, Path, World Diabetes Foundation, Novo Nordisk, and governments of Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Bhutan, The Philippines, and Cambodia

Active Countries
Kenya, Ghana, India, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Cambodia, Philippines
Thematic area(s)
Health
Technology
Open Source
Organisation Name
Medtronic LABS
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The Problem

The target problem that Spice is solving is that of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which account for 41 million (two-thirds of) global deaths every year. More than half of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet only 1% of health spending goes toward NCD care. While community health workers (CHWs) and digital health tools have been deployed in some areas, the combined effects of such interventions have not been optimized for NCD management. Most tools are not compatible with low internet connectivity and low digital literacy or are designed as simple “survey tools” that are detached from the health system. As a result, these tools capture point-in-time data rather than the longitudinal view that clinicians within health systems need to dynamically manage the care of NCD patients.

The Solution

SPICE is Medtronic LABS’ secure, scalable, flexible digital health platform designed to be used by patients, community health workers, and healthcare providers in low-resource settings to support a new era of data-driven community healthcare delivery.

How it works?

  • Step 1: Medtronic LABS partners with health systems and facilities to train local community health workers (CHWs) and clinicians on the SPICE platform.
  • Step 2: Patients attend CHW-led blood pressure and blood glucose screening events in their community. Data is recorded into the SPICE platform and used by the app’s algorithm to identify clinically eligible patients for the program who are referred to the nearest health facility. ​
  • Step 3: A facility Health Administrator confirms eligibility and uses the SPICE tablet to formally enroll the patient into the LABS program, and the patient may see a clinician.​ The app provides clinicians with a suggested personalized assessment/follow-up care plan.
  • Step 4: Based on the care plan, patients receive regular visits from a CHW who records BP and glucose assessments in the app. These longitudinal biometric recordings trigger red-risk alerts so CHWs and clinicians can connect a patient with appropriate follow-up care. Patients also receive calls and messages from tele-counsellors providing appointment reminders, wellness check-ins, and lifestyle education.
  • Step 5: Patients return to the facility when it is time for their visit, where a doctor can access their longitudinal patient record in the SPICE app. The doctor can adjust medications, order lab tests, change their care plan, and engage in more predictive care.
Digital X Solution Spice

Bridging the digital divide

The simplicity and easy-to-use configuration of the application is designed to overcome barriers of digital literacy among patients and CHWs. At the same time, the offline-first architecture and integration with point-of-care health devices addresses the lack of connectivity in the inherently digitally isolated communities where the need for technology is greatest. Contextually customized workflows allow additional flexibility to further tailor activities for underserved populations.

Impact and highlights

  • Screened 215,707 patients, enrolled nearly 50,000 patients and improved the lives of 14,819 individuals (Kenya).
  • Enrolled 35,155 patients and improved the lives of 6,967 individuals (Ghana).  
  • Enrolled 2,318 patients and improved the lives of 296 individuals (Sierra Leone).
  • Enrolled 1,290 patients and improved the lives of 197 individuals (Tanzania).

Plans for expansion

Medtronic LABS has plans to expand to other countries, specifically: Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Zambia. However, the most immediate focus for scale is on strengthening existing country programs by expanding from partnerships with faith-based and local organizations to partnerships at the government level with Ministries of Health.

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