hjallig's Flickr photostream/Creative Commons

Health care reform in the U.S. will likely include scrapping costly, inefficient and outdated approaches, however, we may do well to look to Rwanda for inspiration where the long-standing, but seemingly archaic practice of house calls is proving effective and affordable.  The PBS series NOW recently featured an amazing new program developed by Boston-based Partners In Health, a Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneur, in cooperation with the Rwandan government to provide door-to-door medicine and medical care in villages around the country.

While there are some Western doctors involved with the program, the majority of the care-givers, including doctors, nurses and volunteers are Rwandan, providing an economically sustainable and culturally attuned support system.  In addition to house calls the program also offers a well-stocked and well-staffed clinic to meet the diverse medical needs of the community. 

One of the most remarkable aspects of the program is that it aims to combat the roots of the medical problems, by addressing nutrition (gardening classes!), access to clean water, education and economic development.  Watch the video below to learn more about this tremendously important and exemplary approach to providing health care and combating poverty.  And use the action link to learn about the amazing work of other social entrepreneurs.