My wife asked me why Israel was being very successful with vaccine distribution compared to Canada.
We have heard from our friends in Tel Aviv who have already received the vaccine.
Their process of vaccine distribution is very well orchestrated. Our friends belong to one of 4 major HMOs ( health maintenance organizations) in Israel.
The HMOs are like OHIP. The big difference is that these 4 HMOs in Israel must compete for customers. OHIP is a monolithic monopolistic bureaucratic entity. Sometimes no one answers the phone. Try it and you will see. Service levels are likely not even measured at OHIP.
The need to compete changes the entire service delivery experience for customers in Israel. If customers of the HMO do not get good service, then they can change to another HMO. The more customers, the more revenues and the more advances in technology and facilities that can be developed.
Competition amongst the HMOs forces them to up their game to the benefit of their customers.
Years ago, I toured the head office of Clalit, one of the HMOs. Their use of information technology (IT) at that time was light years ahead of the IT in Canada. Their managers manage service delivery and take pride in being excellent at it.
So when it came time to distribute the vaccine, the managers at Clalit pushed a few buttons and mobilized the effort. Somewhat like going to war. But this time, the enemy is a virus.
So the question for the political leaders and ministers of health in our provinces and territories is why don’t we use this model of competition to increase the service levels for Canadians. Lives depend on it.
Might be a useful thought exercise for our leaders to engage in, if their time permits.
All the best of luck with this initiative. I will be watching from the side lines.
Raymond Rupert patient advocate and part time health industry disruptor.