Behind every successful vaccination campaign or public health drive are thousands of frontline health workers—people who travel long distances, work long hours, and serve communities in difficult conditions. Yet for many of them, getting paid has often been slow, complicated, and sometimes unreliable.

The Digital Health Payment Initiative and Research in Africa (DHPI-R) was launched to change this. Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the project began in 2021 and is led by researchers at Makerere University in Uganda and Université Cheikh Anta Diop in Senegal. Through this work, Peter Waiswa and colleagues are helping rethink how frontline health workers are compensated during large-scale health campaigns.

Why Digital Payments Matter

In many countries, health campaign workers—such as those supporting immunization drives—have traditionally been paid in cash. Payments can be delayed, difficult to track, and vulnerable to errors or misuse. DHPI-R explores how digital financial services, including mobile money, can make these systems more transparent, faster, and fairer.

By moving from cash-based payments to secure digital systems, the initiative aims to ensure that the people doing essential public health work are paid on time and paid correctly.

Research and Implementation Across Africa

The project studies how digital payment systems can be introduced across several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Its research focuses on understanding:

• How digital payments improve efficiency and accountability in health campaigns

• Whether timely payments increase motivation among frontline workers

• How technology can reduce financial leakages and administrative delays

The initiative also collaborates with the World Health Organization Africa Regional Office to help inform a broader global research agenda on digital payments for health campaigns.

Impact for Frontline Health Workers

Early findings from the project highlight important benefits:

Timely Compensation
Digital systems make it possible for health workers to receive payments quickly after completing their work.

Greater Transparency and Security
By reducing reliance on physical cash, digital payments help minimize risks of fraud, theft, and payment discrepancies.

Stronger Workforce Motivation
When health workers are paid reliably and on time, they are more likely to remain engaged and committed during critical health campaigns.

Strengthening Health Systems

Beyond payments alone, DHPI-R is helping build evidence on how technology can strengthen health systems across Africa. By improving how frontline workers are supported and compensated, the initiative contributes to more effective immunization campaigns and better public health outcomes for communities.

Through initiatives like this, Peter Waiswa continues to bridge research, policy, and practical solutions—ensuring that innovation in global health ultimately benefits the people delivering care on the ground.