Patient and Citizen Involvement In Health

Patient and Citizen Involvement in Health

Skin Neglected Tropical Diseases

Skin Rare Diseases | Comorbidities

What We do

Patient and Citizen Involvement in Health ( PCI Health).

At our organisation, we are dedicated to ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our communities have access to the healthcare they need and deserve, without the impediments of financial, informational, evidentiary, and policy barriers.

Our approach involves several key initiatives:

Active Patient Identification: We are a network of patient support groups supported by active community volunteers who identify patients that would otherwise be unable to access healthcare due to existing barriers, including socio-economic factors.
Reducing Financial Barriers: We help patients overcome the economic obstacles that impede access to healthcare. This involves supporting health insurance enrollment and minimising out-of-pocket expenses, thereby ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent individuals from receiving the care they require.
Linking to Appropriate Healthcare: We connect patients with suitable healthcare providers, facilitating access to quality medical services that they might otherwise be unable to afford.
Social Protection and Community Integration: We support the integration of individuals into their communities as empowered citizens, fostering a sense of belonging and participation in community life through economic empowerment.
Research and Policy Advocacy: Beyond direct patient support, we advocate for policy changes that enhance access to healthcare and social protection for the most vulnerable populations. Our goal is to influence systemic change that benefits not only our immediate beneficiaries but also the broader community.

Our mission is to create a world where no one is denied healthcare due to financial limitations. By empowering individuals and advocating for systemic change, we strive to build healthier, more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Patient Identification

Reducing financial barriers and linkage

Social Protection

Reseach and Policy

Patient Support Network

Lymphatic Filariasis

Neurofibromatosis

Leprocy

Skin Comorbidities

Our efforts have focused on providing policy support by identifying benefit packages and understanding disease inclusion preferences within the informal sector. We have also contributed to Zambia’s roadmap for developing these benefit packages and enhanced our understanding of the implementation of the national health insurance scheme. In 2024, we proudly supported the validation of a global patient-reported outcome measure for all skin diseases. Since 2022, our community of patients has grown to over 300 individuals with rare and NTDs skin conditions and related issues, such as allergies and inflammations. Currently, we are actively supporting 60 remarkable patients with neurofibromatosis, leprosy, and lymphatic filariasis through the Sustained Access for Everyone to Dermatology Solutions (SUCCEDS) programme. This programme provides them with monthly insurance subscriptions, access to healthcare, and social care, all facilitated through entrepreneurship and seed funding, right here in Zambia.

Patient Videos

Our Publications

Membership and Networks

The Patient and Citizen Involvement in Health is a member of the International Alliance of Dermatology Patient Organisations (GlobalSkin), the World Patient Alliance and the World Health Organisation's Neglected Tropical Diseases Operational Research Technical Working Group and Core Group. Within the GlobalSkin, PCI Health was appointed with a two-year mandate to the Seven-member Technical Working Group for the African Regional Network, supporting GlobalSkin to implement the network's 2024-2025 Work Plan across the over forty-five African member organisations.