A social enterprise named Telemedan has deployed solar-powered telemedicine kiosks across rural Chad to connect patients with doctors remotely. The initiative, launched in 2021 by founder Abakar Mahamat, aims to reduce barriers to healthcare, such as distance and cost, for communities with limited access to medical facilities, electricity, and internet services.
Residents in areas like Bitkine in central Chad have described challenges in accessing healthcare, including the time and expense required to travel to larger towns for medical consultations. Ache Kodo, a resident of Bitkine, told Al Jazeera that the service has changed how her family accesses medical care by reducing travel costs.
The Telemedan kiosks are designed to operate independently of the national power grid, using solar panels and batteries. At each location, a local operator assists patients by registering them and taking basic measurements with medical devices. According to the company, these devices include blood-pressure monitors, thermometers, glucometers, pulse oximeters, and electrocardiogram (ECG) machines.
During a consultation, a doctor appears on a screen to conduct the appointment remotely, guided by the on-site operator. The system is built to function in areas with unreliable internet; patient data can be stored locally and uploaded when a connection is established. Telemedan also utilizes a USSD service, which allows individuals to book appointments using mobile phones without an internet connection.
Mahamat stated that the initiative was created to address both the scarcity of doctors in rural regions and the distance separating them from patients. He told Al Jazeera that travel for medical care can cost $200 or more, factoring in transport and other expenses. Telemedan reports that its consultations cost between $2 and $15.
Since its start as a pilot program, the initiative has expanded with support from grants and partnerships, including one with Chad’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention. According to Mahamat, Telemedan now operates 37 kiosks in 11 provinces, having provided services to an estimated 143,000 people. The company also reports using artificial intelligence to assist healthcare professionals in screening for diabetic retinopathy.
The project aligns with Chad’s broader digital health strategy. Youssouf Silay, an assistant to the coordinator of Chad’s National Digital Health Programme, told Al Jazeera that the country’s National Health Development Plan for 2022–2030 identifies digital health as a key method for expanding care. Chad established a National Telemedicine Programme in 2021 and its National Digital Health Programme in 2023. Silay said the government’s objective is to promote solutions that improve healthcare access, particularly in underserved areas.
The operational model for Telemedan involves selling the kiosks, which cost approximately $10,000 each, to governments and partner organizations that then operate them. Mahamat said this structure means patients do not pay for the infrastructure.
Company officials and government representatives acknowledge the system’s limitations. The kiosks are not equipped for emergency treatment or certain examinations. Patients who require specialized care, laboratory tests, or hospitalization must be referred to other health facilities. The long-term success of the kiosks depends on factors including equipment maintenance, consistent connectivity, and continued training for local operators.
Telemedan has stated its goal is to expand its services to reach one million people in rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
