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Spitzkoppe landscape , Namibia patients in remote areas without the need for a physical appointment . Using mobile devices , practitioners can send SMS-based reminders and educational messages that enable preventative care and improve the management of disease .

Africa also faces a high disease burden . HIV / AIDS , malaria , tuberculosis , a high infant and mother mortality rate , and other diseases such as diabetes and cancer , all contribute to a disease burden that accounts for 24 % worldwide , even though the continent only houses 17 % of the world ’ s population . This particular challenge is compounded by a massive lack of access to affordable medication and public sector financial limitations . Here , solutions that rely on improved data management , access to healthcare and faster diagnoses can radically reimagine the African healthcare situation .

For example , Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) while still relatively nascent in the healthcare field , can be used to increase the speed and accuracy of diagnoses . When this technology is wedded to data input into a telehealth system , for example , then practitioners can diagnose and treat patients across all locations at speed . distance – healthcare workers and patients have to travel huge distances to receive basic care . While focusing on increasing the number of health workers should remain a priority , technology could be used to connect patients to practitioners regardless of distance . Telemedicine platforms allow for healthcare practitioners to undertake remote consultations with patients in remote areas . It ’ s a powerful emerging HealthTech solution for good reason – patients don ’ t have to travel vast distances to access care and practitioners can swiftly assess their needs and ensure they get the treatment they need despite the patient ’ s location and infrastructure limitations .

Mobile health ( mHealth ) has also evolved within this space as it allows for practitioners to stay in touch with

This can reduce the burden of diseases like TB and malaria by providing patients and practitioners with quick and effective treatment . The cost of drugs remains a prevalent issue across the world with organisations like Medecis Sans Frontieres campaigning

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