LEVERAGING ON TECHNOLOGY FOR BETTER LAST MILE HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN RURAL AFRICA

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally, causing forty-one million deaths annually. The four top killers are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing a surge in NCD burden due to cardiovascular risk factors (Bigna and Noubiap, 2019). The region has severely low health delivery coverage and access to healthcare is a formidable challenge. Africa’s landscape is marked by vast geographical expanses, limited resources, and disparities in access to healthcare services. Millions in remote areas find themselves distanced from basic health facilities, leading to illnesses and complications that could have been prevented with home-based care.?

As Africa continues to grapple with healthcare challenges, the innovative model of Healthy Entrepreneurs (HE) offers a glimpse into a future where healthcare delivery is not bound by geographical constraints but driven by empowering local communities and leveraging on technology. HE is setting a precedent for a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable healthcare system in Africa, bridging the gap between healthcare and remote communities.?

Central to our innovative approach is the integration of telehealth into the heart of our operations. The telehealth platform acts as a lifeline, connecting Community Health Entrepreneurs (CHEs) and end consumers with medical professionals, creating a virtual bridge that spans across geographical distances. In Uganda for example (one of the seven countries HE currently operates), the nurse-to-patient-ratio is 1:11.000 and doctor-to-patient-ratio is 1:24.000 (WHO 2022).

The HE model is rather simple - and hence scalable: HE offers a training program that shapes ordinary men and women into empowered Community Health Entrepreneurs. These individuals, armed with health and business knowledge, become the frontline healthcare providers in their communities. The training goes beyond conventional methods of training, incorporating digital tools, and equipping CHEs with smartphones to access e-health applications. The digital platform creates efficiency, orderliness, and transparency in the management of goods and transactions, further enhancing the impact of the healthcare services provided. The CHEs also get access to a vast delivery network of health products and medicines, from which the end consumer then benefits.?

Each CHE is provided with a starter kit that includes diagnostic tools like MUAC, blood pressure machines, glucometers, thermometers, and most forms of RDTs. These tools, combined with direct access to telehealth (typically named “doctor-from-a-distance" in most local languages), not only enhance the diagnostic capabilities of CHEs but also facilitate a more comprehensive and precise approach to healthcare delivery. In their communities, the CHEs receive continuous training – both in health issues as well as in how to grow their business. ?

The infusion of digital solutions into healthcare delivery has been a game-changer for us as a healthcare provider. The model adopted goes beyond the impressive statistics of reaching over 18 million individuals annually - it brings forth a testament to the transformative power of combining technology, education, and community empowerment. ?