Telemedicine Revolutionizes Healthcare Access in Sub-Saharan Africa Amid COVID-19 Challenges
March 29, 2025
A systematic review analyzed 53 studies published between 2014 and 2024 to assess the adoption and implementation of telemedicine in these countries.
Telemedicine is increasingly recognized as a crucial solution to healthcare access challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in countries like South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.
To enhance the sustainability of telemedicine, key recommendations include investments in broadband expansion, policy harmonization, and training for healthcare providers.
Despite facing considerable infrastructural and regulatory challenges, Nigeria is making strides in innovating remote diagnosis and teleconsultation technologies.
South Africa is leading the way in telemedicine adoption, with a strong focus on teleconsultations, chronic disease management, and mental health services.
In Kenya, the integration of mobile health (mHealth) has been particularly successful, especially in areas such as maternal health, HIV care, and sexual and reproductive health services.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly accelerated the global adoption of telemedicine, highlighting the need for new digital solutions to maintain healthcare delivery during lockdowns.
However, the adoption of telemedicine in Sub-Saharan Africa is hindered by challenges such as regulatory gaps, digital literacy issues, and inadequate infrastructure.
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