Addressing Healthcare Gaps through Telehealth and eDispensing in Burkina Faso

The healthcare system in Burkina Faso faces significant challenges, including limited access to quality care, drug resistance, self-medication and a lack of human capacity to serve the entire population.?These issues have been further exacerbated by the impact of insecurity on healthcare infrastructure and service delivery.

Leveraging Telehealth

Healthy Entrepreneurs , a social enterprise, is working to address healthcare challenges in Burkina Faso. We empower rural communities through a network of Entrepreneur Santé Communautaire (ESCs) who use telehealth and eDispensing solutions to connect with remote healthcare providers. This "doctor-at-a-distance" approach enables CHEs to provide diagnosis and treatment support to patients, even in areas where physical access to healthcare facilities is limited.

Introducing eDispensing

Complementing the telehealth solution, Healthy Entrepreneurs also implements an eDispensing system.?This technology will allow ESCs to securely dispense quality-assured medicines and health products to the local communities in a controlled and affordable manner. The eDispensing solution addresses long-standing challenges such as drug resistance, self-medication, and the lack of human capacity to serve the entire population of 23,837,715 according to Burkina Faso Population (data.worldbank.org , n.d.)

Collaboration and Approval

Working for strong collaboration on the telehealth and eDispensing solutions with relevant ministries and local governments in Burkina Faso, who have unanimously responded positively to facilitate the development and enhancement of telehealth in in remote areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, including Burkina Faso, with a focus on improving access, cost-effectiveness, and quality of care, particularly in underserved communities. The proposed solutions are seen as a timely and effective response to the country's healthcare challenges.

Scaling and Sustainability

The telehealth and eDispensing solutions are currently in the implementation phase to address critical healthcare challenges in Burkina Faso. Healthy Entrepreneurs is committed to a sustainable approach to ensure that these innovations are integrated into the existing healthcare system and can be scaled to reach the most vulnerable communities in Burkina Faso. By leveraging technology, empowering local Entrepreneur Santé Communautaire (ESCs), and collaborating with the government, Healthy Entrepreneurs is working to address healthcare access and resilience in Burkina Faso.