The benefits of Telehealth in African COVID-19 recovery
Written by Taylah Grillo
COVID-19 has had unprecedented effects on health systems and global development, and Africa is no exception. While addressing the myriad of challenges facing Africa post-COVID-19, there is potential for Africa to employ innovative digital technologies. More specifically, COVID-19 has highlighted that it is time to reform health systems across the continent through telehealth and telemedicine. Telehealth and telemedicine refer to the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients through the use of digital technologies.
COVID-19 has emphasised the world’s digital divide, as the internet and digital technologies can be instrumental in dealing with health crises. Africa has the lowest number of internet connections of any continent. Globally, the internet penetration rate is 62.9%, in contrast, Africa’s internet penetration rate is 39.3%, with approximately four out of 10 individuals having access to the internet. The region’s low internet access has been a key limiting factor impeding the progression of telehealth. Despite this, COVID-19, the growing middle class and the increased need for remote healthcare has strengthened the demand for telehealth in the region. It is estimated that by the end of 2025, over 690 million Africans will have smartphones, and mobile broadband connections will be at 87% increasing the ability to deploy telehealth.
Ultimately, the telehealth market has the potential to transform the African healthcare industry. Some projections suggest that the telehealth market in Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to grow to US$5 billion by 2025. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Rwanda utilised digital technologies in the form of anti-epidemic robots to monitor patients and deliver food, while other countries used robots to disinfect hospitals. Moreover, in Nigeria, free e-consultations were used to help patients self-assess infection risks and identify symptoms.
The time is now
Evidently, telehealth has the potential to deliver cost-effective and equitable healthcare. Herein lies an opportunity for Australian companies and businesses to invest in African telehealth. As the pandemic has accelerated the demand and need for digitalisation and telehealth, there are a plethora of ways in which foreign investment can fast-track Africa’s development. This includes investing in digital infrastructure, policy frameworks to assist digital-friendly businesses, and funding to enhance skills. Investing in African telehealth will not only improve African health systems, but drive growth in a new market, foster development and create opportunities for foreign economies.
Telehealth has the potential to revolutionise African healthcare and is vital to COVID-19 recovery and the establishment of sustainable, viable, and responsive health systems.