Movement Health Foundation delivers digital health solutions to communities in need through an advanced model that works. Since 2019, this Swiss non-profit has developed a practical strategy beyond simply funding healthcare technology. Its work proves that lasting change in emerging markets demands more than money—it requires a complete ecosystem that blends innovation, policy change, and sustainable implementation.
After formally establishing itself as a foundation in 2023, Movement Health continues to turn promising healthcare pilots into scalable solutions that serve millions across Latin America, Africa, and Europe.
A Six-Step Framework for Sustainable Change
Movement Health Foundation’s success stems from its systematic six-step methodology, which addresses the complex challenges of healthcare. Unlike conventional strategies that focus primarily on funding and implementation, its framework begins with careful regional assessment and problem definition. This initial groundwork ensures that digital solutions address real needs within specific healthcare contexts.
The foundation’s work in Colombia is a proof of this innovative approach. Through the Salud 360 pilot program, they identified that while 5.3 million patients faced cardiovascular risks, an estimated 2.2 million remained unidentified. Rather than creating an isolated solution, they strategically aligned with Colombia’s Law 2015 of 2020—a legislation that mandates the interoperability of electronic medical records across the country.
This law requires all public and private healthcare providers to share vital patient data through standardized digital systems. Movement Health Foundation implemented Salud 360 as a comprehensive digital system that could seamlessly integrate with existing healthcare infrastructure by working within this progressive legal framework. The results validate this strategy: healthcare providers achieved a 50% reduction in care and maintenance costs, decreased cardiovascular risk management expenses by 20.5%, and realized 24.4% savings in control tests through systematic patient monitoring.
Building Local Networks and Fostering Advancements
What truly sets Movement Health Foundation apart is its emphasis on building robust local networks and fostering advancement within emerging markets. With over 40 global partners, including technology giants Microsoft and Siemens Healthineers, it creates sustainable healthcare ecosystems that continue to change and improve long after initial implementation.
In Ghana, this strategy has led to a partnership with the National e-Pharmacy Platform (NEPP)—a digital platform commissioned by Ghana’s Pharmacy Council in 2022. Through a unified digital platform, NEPP represents Africa’s first nationwide system connecting retail pharmacies, healthcare providers, and patients. The system has already integrated over 200 pharmacies and processed more than 250,000 prescriptions valued at approximately $4 million. It connects with private health insurance companies and the National Health Insurance Authority and integrates with Ghana’s Health Service Lightwave EMR system.
Rather than simply providing funding for digital health solutions, Movement Health Foundation identified community pharmacies as crucial healthcare touchpoints and worked to change them into data-driven healthcare hubs. The initiative includes comprehensive training for pharmacy staff, implementation of standardized screening protocols, and the development of clear referral pathways to hospitals and clinics. This strategy is particularly significant in Ghana, where pharmacies often serve as the first point of contact for healthcare needs. The platform allows patients to access medications safely and securely through online pharmacies while maintaining confidentiality and even includes courier services for medication delivery within specified timeframes.
Data-Driven Decision Making and Policy Advocacy
The foundation’s commitment to data-driven decision-making represents another crucial aspect of its strategy. In Peru, Movement Health Foundation’s initiatives have led to measurable improvements in maternal and child health services, including a 14% increase in infant nutritional supplementation and enhanced prenatal care access. These concrete results have helped secure government support and inform policy decisions.
In Costa Rica, the foundation played a role in changing the National Health Policy 2023-2033, demonstrating how digital health initiatives can inform and improve national healthcare strategies. This policy-level engagement ensures that digital health solutions become integrated into the fabric of national healthcare systems rather than existing as isolated initiatives.
The foundation’s impact is also evident in its expansion across continents. What began in Latin America has now spread to Africa and Europe, with successful initiatives in Algeria, Bulgaria, Ghana, and South Africa.
Creating Sustainable Impact: Beyond Traditional Healthcare Investment
Movement Health Foundation’s strategy to change digital health in emerging markets demonstrates that successful healthcare advancement requires more than just financial investment. Its comprehensive methodology, combining strategic planning, local engagement, data-driven decision-making, and policy advocacy, offers a blueprint for sustainable digital health transformation. Its model provides valuable lessons for organizations seeking to create lasting impact in emerging markets.
As it continues to expand reach and impact, Movement Health Foundation is funding digital health solutions and activating a fundamental transformation in how healthcare is delivered in emerging markets.