Play #2: Same Side of the Table
When you have a number of stakeholders involved in regulation, invite them all to a workshop to share ideas and insights to get everyone on the same side.
The Pilot: UAVs for TB in Mozambique
If we integrate drones into routine tuberculosis (TB) sample transportation, then the turnaround time for TB case detection will improve, particularly in rural areas.
Use this play to answer our challenge around regulatory barriers: where implementing the tech is hindered by a non-favourable regulatory environment. I.e. it is non-existent, not keeping pace with technological change, difficult and costly to engage, and so on.
This play is part of our Frontier Technology Playbook: Plays by DfID Pioneers to Overcome Development Challenges. Click here to read the other plays and an introduction to the Playbook.
The Pioneers: VillageReach
Because we are transporting TB sputum samples from health clinics to laboratories using drones, this pilot needed regulatory input from the ministries of health, aviation and science & technology in Mozambique. We needed to tap into their collective wisdom and get their buy-in.
So before doing anything else, we took the time to host a workshop inviting all key stakeholders. Anyone can do that, right? We believe the main success factor here was that we allowed our stakeholders to lead it. The Director General of Mozambique’s National Institute of Health introduced the session by speaking about existing infrastructure problems. The National Disaster Management Unit spoke about the successful and safe use of drones in Mozambique today to map areas after flooding.
The workshop moved our regulatory stakeholders from ‘reactive and neutral’ to ‘proactive and engaged’. After the workshop we shared the details of all attendees with their permission, to keep both the conversation and this collaborative frame of mind going.
The Practice: Top Tips for Success
- Tell stories about how the tech has been used before and if possible, invite the very people that used it
- Give space for stakeholders to voice and input their ideas — not just on regulation but wider uses of the tech. Really listen!
- Be sure to position the endeavour as a shared problem and shared opportunity and solution
