Amidst Covid 19, Ghana is finding innovative ways to provide healthcare for rural communities

Life changed when Covid 19 hit. Since then, people have found innovative ways to adjust to the new normal; wearing face masks and leaning more into the virtual world. Schools, churches and other organisations have since learnt to join this new movement.

In more ways than one, the pandemic has challenged many people into thinking outside the box. We see that in many industries, and the healthcare system is not left out.

With limited access to health services as a result of the pandemic, health has been a major concern for people with limited resources particularly those in the rural areas. This is what has birthed telemedicine and in turn, telehealth.

‘Telemedicine started it all. The problem with this innovation includes limited diagnostic capabilities, poor data security and not accessible to everyone. Adding real robostic and diagnostic capabilities and complying with all the laws is the way forward,’ Mr Antonio Baldassarre, the CEO of UniDoc shared with me in an interview.

While many African countries have had their health systems stagger from the pandemic, telehealth is reshaping the narrative in Ghana.

‘Ghana is a vibrant and free society, the internet is growing, it's a younger demographic. And because the internet use has doubled since 2017, we felt that this is the right country to work with before we can offer it to other countries in the Sub-Saharan region,’ Mr Baldassarre said.

Healthcare is a human right and should be accessible to everyone irrespective of gender or economic status. However, the healthcare system in Ghana has somewhat focused on urban centres. Mr Baldassarre intends to change that with mobile virtual health kiosks. The kiosks, shaped in cubes, enable a low-cost, real-time, remote doctor visit with full diagnostic capabilities, replacing the need for an in-person doctor's visit.

“We have an MoU with Her Royal Highness, Nana Hemaa Kwasi Bozoma III, Ndweafo Royal Stool, Ekpu, Western Region, Republic Of Ghana, and Nana Angate Kpanyinli III to test these systems in rural areas. Our target is 2 million people’’.

“There is the issue of the amount of time people spend at the hospital, there are long lineups in Ghana to the hospital. What we’re doing is trying to alleviate people going to the hospital for emergencies, so now they can walk into a cube and get whatever medical attention they seek” , Mr Baldassarre said.

Ghana is not the only country looking to enjoy the dividends of technology. Sierra Leone, Gambia, Guinea, Liberia and Ivory Coast are also in line for this new wave of virtual care kiosks.

By tapping into telehealth solutions, African countries can channel their resources and realign them with the potential to spread primary diagnostic assessment more across the nation.

Afterall, the pandemic has created a new normal for us - virtual living.