Unlocking the potential of digital health in Sub-Saharan Africa

A new report titled “Leveraging Digital Health in Primary Health Care: Current Status and Future Possibilities in Sub-Saharan Africa” has been released by the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI) at Imperial College London. The study, conducted in partnership with Imperial’s Global Digital Health Unit and the African Forum for Primary Health Care (AfroPHC), examines the usage and impact of digital health technology in Sub-Saharan Africa, addressing persisting healthcare challenges and highlighting areas of opportunity.

The report presents several key findings. The rising accessibility of mobile phones in Sub-Saharan Africa has led to a surge in mobile health (mHealth) applications. These apps have become instrumental in delivering health services and information, and facilitating remote consultations. Remarkable strides in infrastructure, such as increased internet access – from 53% to 81% over the past five years – have played a crucial role in this expansion.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has seen a considerable rise in adoption across Sub-Saharan Africa. Experts agree on its long-term utility in primary care, pointing to a blend of telemedicine and in-person consultations – a trend termed “hybrid medicine.”

Electronic health records (EHRs), critical for enhancing care continuity and efficiency, are also gradually gaining traction. Despite these advancements, their widespread application remains limited in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Niki O’Brien, lead author of the report, praised the extensive application of digital technology in African healthcare. She acknowledged the hurdles and prospects for broader implementation to benefit patients, providers, and health systems.

Nevertheless, there are substantial challenges in integrating digital technologies into healthcare service delivery. Barriers such as lack of healthcare professionals, limited infrastructure, and geographic hindrances still exist. Also, gaining widespread acceptance for digital health services remains a challenge due to disparities in socioeconomic status and literacy rates across the region.

Limited resources for service transformation, high costs of digital systems implementation, and inadequate funding are other significant obstacles. Many institutions operate using outdated technologies, leading to quality of care and data security concerns.

The report suggests that despite these challenges, the swift advancement in digital health can help overcome these barriers and transform healthcare delivery across the region. Recommendations have been put forward for various stakeholders, including government leaders, healthcare providers, NGOs, research funders, and the industry, to create a strategic and equitable digital health ecosystem.

Ultimately, digital technology could be a powerful ally in delivering primary health care, enabling access to remote and marginalised populations, reducing costs, and improving the quality and safety of services. It opens up a considerable opportunity for countries within Sub-Saharan Africa and other low- and middle-income nations to shape the future of digital primary health care, fostering innovation and impact.