Solar kiosks bring healthcare closer to patients in Chad

Solar kiosks bring healthcare closer to patients in Chad Bitkine, Chad, For Ache Kodo, visiting a doctor used to require saving money for the journey. Living in Bitkine, a town in central Chad, she explained that a medical visit often meant paying for transportation, the consultation, and other associated costs. Now, she can consult a doctor remotely via a Telemedan kiosk located near her home. “Telemedan changed how my family accessed healthcare services,” Ache said. “It was difficult before, as it involved me saving money to travel just to see a doctor. Now I’m able to do it on time with fewer costs from where I am. It has also enhanced my economic status.” For residents in rural Chad, distance can be as formidable a challenge to accessing healthcare as the scarcity of medical professionals. Medical facilities and specialists are largely concentrated in urban centers, leaving many remote communities underserved. Abakar Mahamat, who grew up experiencing this reality, described the problem not only as a lack of doctors but also as the vast distances separating these doctors from the populations they serve. In 2021, Abakar launched Telemedan, a telemedicine initiative aimed at bringing medical consultations closer to communities lacking reliable electricity, internet access, and medical infrastructure. “Instead of asking people to travel hundreds of kilometres to find a doctor, I wanted to use technology to bring the doctor closer to them,” he stated. Each Telemedan kiosk operates on solar power, enabling it to function without a stable electrical grid. Local operators register patients and take initial measurements using devices such as blood-pressure monitors, glucometers, thermometers, pulse oximeters, and ECG machines. The physician joins the session remotely, appearing on a screen as the operator facilitates the examination. The kiosks can also be equipped with additional diagnostic tools, including stethoscopes, temperature sensors, and in some instances, ultrasound equipment. Trained local operators assist patients in using these tools. Designed for areas with intermittent internet access, the system stores patient data locally and syncs it when connectivity improves. An USSD service allows individuals without internet access to schedule appointments and retrieve health-related information. The kiosks can connect via mobile networks or satellite links, ensuring accessibility even in remote locations. “We want to see that the absence of reliable electricity or the internet should not mean the absence of healthcare,” Abakar emphasized. The financial burden of traveling for medical care can be substantial. Abakar noted that some trips for medical attention can cost over $200, accounting for transportation, lodging, logistical expenses, and consultations. In contrast, Telemedan consultations range from $2 to $15, depending on the service. For Abakar, this affordability is crucial, as it ensures families do not have to choose between seeking medical care and meeting basic needs. “A patient should not have to choose between seeking medical care and being able to feed their family,” he said. Telemedan started as a pilot project and has since expanded with support from grants and institutional collaborations, including the Ministry of Public Health and Prevention in Chad. Currently, the initiative operates 37 kiosks across 11 provinces, reaching approximately 143,000 individuals. Additionally, Telemedan has begun integrating artificial intelligence to aid in screening for diabetic retinopathy, a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to vision loss if left untreated.