Community co-innovation to promote healthy habits

A supportive community provides the context for ongoing healthy habits. Conversely, negative community aspects such as stigma around certain health problems, loneliness or feeling unsafe put a person at greater risk of developing many health issues. They can also prolong the recovery process after illness or increase the risk of relapse.

In this newsletter, we look closer at some Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) initiatives where community engagement is a central component.

First, we zoom in on the CommunityFirst framework. The framework, developed through a joint initiative between MSF and SeeChange, provides practical guidance for MSF project teams for partnering with communities through all phases of the project cycle.

This issue also explores how community engagement can improve the identification of and care for infants who may be malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. These insights are derived from a workshop on MAMI (management of small and nutritionally at-risk infants under six months and their mothers) organised by the MSF Sweden Innovation Unit and others during the 2024 MSF Paediatric Days.

If you are an MSF staff and have an idea for a project that addresses the strategic topic of paediatric care, check out the 2024 call for Exploratory Grant applications. The call is open until the 30th of September 2024.

We hope you enjoy the read!

Innovation updates from the MSF movement

Creating tools for co-designing humanitarian programmes

Communities are not only experts in their own contexts, they are are also the first responders.

The CommunityFirst framework is a practical tool for co-designing humanitarian responses with the community. It was developed through a joint initiative between SeeChange and MSF teams, funded by the MSF Transformation Investment Capacity (TIC).

The framework provides practical guidance for MSF projct teams to transform the way they provides medical humanitarian assistance by actively partnering with communities throughout all phases of the project cycle.

The framework divides projects into four phases: Connect, Engage, Activate, and Reflect. During these phases, MSF project staff from across departments are involved in facilitating a participatory process by which community members:

lead their own analysis of the health challenges they are facing
build on the strengths of communities and complement existing local solutions, and
engage in participatory monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning.

CommunityFirst has been implemented in MSF projects in Peru, Sierra Leone and Venezuela. Learn more here.

“MAMI” workshop at MSF Paediatric Days 2024: Improving care for malnourished children under six months of age

Young infants under six months of age are a vulnerable group for malnutrition and its consequences. Yet historically, this group has often been overlooked in programming and advocacy focused on undernutrition. Improving care and support for these young infants, and their mothers, is the aim of the MAMI Global Network.

During this year’s MSF Paediatric Days in Nairobi, Kenya, the MSF Sweden Innovation Unit and others organised a workshop on the MAMI concept. The workshop broadly aimed at exploring ways to implement MAMI into MSF projects, focusing on ways to improve screening for malnourished and at-risk infants and their mothers.

In total, fifteen MSF staff from seven countries (Nigeria, Kenya, Niger, DRC, Yemen, Syria, and Tanzania) participated in the workshop on the 5th of May.

“Something that came out strongly during the workshops was the need to engage with and involve communities in efforts to identify ways for improving identification of and care for infants with malnutrition. This issue is not strictly medical, so it cannot be solved within the hospital walls,” says Dr. Kerstin Hanson, MSF Nutrition Working Leader and MAMI workshop facilitator.

Read more about the MAMI workshop, initial outcomes and next steps here.

Call for Sapling Nursery Exploratory grants open

It can be difficult to structure ideas, turn them into solutions and test and evaluate their impact and replicability in different contexts. To help with this, the MSF Manson Unit’s Sapling Nursery Programme has developed the Exploratory Grants, which provide applicants with mentorship and support, as well as opportunities to connect with individuals inside and outside of MSF who could contribute to building out your idea.

The MSF Sweden Innovation Unit provides strategic support and mentoring to Exploratory Grants support award-holders.

The 2024 call for Exploratory Grant applications is now open. This year, the Exploratory Grants encourage applications that address the strategic topic of paediatric care. The call is open for applications on other topics as well, but submissions addressing this strategic topic will be prioritised.

Applications for Exploratory Grants are open until the 30th of September 2024. (All MSF staff contracted through MSF OCA, OCBA, OCB, OCP, and WaCA can apply to the Sapling Nursery.)

More information about the Sapling Nursery Programme, the Exploratory Grants and how to apply can be found here.

Resource highlights

The MSF Mentoring and Coaching Podcast

The MSF Mentoring and Coaching Hub, hosted by MSF Norway, has launched a podcast. This first season focuses on intercultural awareness, inclusion, and diversity in mentoring and coaching.

In the latest episode, guests Casey O'Connor, Nestley Songco, and Patrice Vastel share their experiences and discuss the importance of cultural awareness and identity. They highlight the need to recognize individual differences and avoid stereotypes, promoting a deeper understanding of diversity and inclusion in coaching and mentoring practices.

Tune in for insightful discussions on enhancing mentoring and coaching through embracing diversity!

Tune in to the podcast

Read, watch, listen:

[MSF] The Mombasa Key Populations Study Report
‘Key populations’ refer to a diverse collection of social groups that face unique health disparities, especially in relation to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. In June 2023, MSF and the Mombasa Department of Health launched a study aimed at better understanding the health and well-being of young members of these populations. Close to 600 participants were part of this community-led study, which shows that stigma and discrimination remain pressing issues impacting vulnerable young people's lives, health and well-being. Read the report »
[MSF] Kenya: Reimagining a patient centered model of care in the management of diabetes and hypertension
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, epilepsy, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, among others, account for close to 40% of deaths in Kenya. Since 2023, MSF in partnership with the Ministry of Health has been piloting a new decentralized care model for patients with NCDs in two health facilities in the Homa Bay sub-county. This model focuses on tailored care for stable diabetic and hypertensive patients, supported at the facility or in the community depending on patients’ preferences. Read here »

[International Civil Society Center] The Power of (Making) Futures Innovation Report 2024
This comprehensive report explores innovative development strategies and fresh participatory funding models. This is done through nine case studies, categorised into three themes: 1) rebalancing power dynamics in narratives and imagery, 2) participatory funding models, 3) and innovative approaches to development cooperation. Read here »
[DNDi] Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery: A Snapshot of Current Use and Prospects for the Indian Drug Discovery Space
Curious about the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in drug discovery? Last month, the Central Drug Research Laboratory and Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative India Foundation organised a webinar on this topic. Watch the recording for insights into how AI can be used in drug discovery including its history, current applications, and potential in tackling neglected tropical diseases. Watch the webinar recording »

Until next time👋

As always we would love to hear of any global health innovation insights or thoughts. Anything you would like to feature in the next newsletter? Reach out with any questions or comments on comms.siu@stockholm.msf.org or simply reply to this email – we would be delighted to continue the conversation!

Best wishes,
The MSF Sweden Innovation Unit Team

MSF Innovation Newsletter July 2024