Archive for category: Technology

Information and stories about technology news.

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Revolutionizing Health Care: 3D Printing in Saudi Arabia

3D Printing in Saudi Arabia3D printing is transforming health care practices across Saudi Arabia. As a regional leader in medical innovation, the country is using 3D printing to advance its health care system. Producing medical devices such as prosthetics, dental implants and surgical tools allows for personalized and cost-effective treatments.

How 3D Printing Is Improving Health Care in Saudi Arabia

  • Lowering the cost of medical care. Saudi Arabians have access to free government-funded health care, but this doesn’t extend to expatriates. Expats, individuals living outside their home countries, make up more than 13 million of the nation’s 38 million residents. Nearly half the population relies on private insurance, either paid out of pocket or provided by employers. 3D printing helps lower the cost of essential medical devices such as prosthetics and surgical tools. By producing these items locally, hospitals reduce their reliance on expensive imports, making treatment more affordable for patients.
  • Accessibility. 3D printing in Saudi Arabia is expanding health care access to rural communities. While 85% of the population lives in urban centers like Riyadh, Jeddah and Mecca, the remaining 15% reside in rural areas with limited access to medical services. This unequal access to health care is partly due to a shortage of health care workers. As of 2023, Saudi Arabia needs 15,000 doctors and 20,000 nurses to meet health care demands. Most medical workers are concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural communities underserved. The government program Saudi Vision 2030 seeks to rectify this injustice through its initiatives in 3D printing to localize manufacturing. Instead of having access to supplies needed for specialized care in one hospital in an urban area, 3D printing would make it possible for any medical facility to produce the supplies needed for each patient.The free medical care for citizens also contributes to a lack of quality in the care provided. Public hospitals and clinics are overcrowded and understaffed, resulting in long wait times. 3D printing will help medical staff save time and improve patient care by providing immediate access to the tools they need.
  • Personalizing patient care. Saudi Vision 2030 concentrates on customized prosthetics, surgical tools and medical devices. Traditionally, these items are imported in bulk using a one-size-fits-all approach, which is costly and often results in poor patient fit. Even low-cost 3D printers can produce splints and other basic medical equipment at a fraction of the cost. Widespread access to 3D printing could expand health care access for low-income individuals, including those not protected by minimum wage laws.

Conclusion

3D printing in Saudi Arabia is set to improve public health further as technology advances. Saudi Vision 2030 promises a future of personalized medical care for all, whether low-income, an expat or from a rural area. Sickness doesn’t discriminate and soon, neither will access to affordable health care in Saudi Arabia.

– Sydney Uhl

Sydney is based in Vancouver, WA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Mobile Banking: How Internet Access is Reducing Nigerian Poverty

Reducing Nigerian PovertyAccording to 2018 data, 30.9% of Nigerians lived in conditions of extreme poverty. As modernization advances and access to smart technologies becomes more widely available, researchers observe how the positive correlation between the availability of high-speed internet tools and mobile banking is reducing poverty in Nigeria. With these positive research findings, the Nigerian government has acknowledged the necessity of internet availability in poverty reduction initiatives like its National Broadband Plan.

Poverty in Nigeria

Based on data from the World Bank, poverty significantly impacts Nigeria. The 2025 research shows nearly one-third of Nigerians live on less than $2.15 per day. Inequality in poverty is also drastically exacerbated by region. Research from 2018/19 found that 46.5% of residents within Nigeria’s northern provinces experienced poverty compared with 13.5% of those in Nigeria’s south.

Efforts to reduce extreme poverty have slowed since before the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of national economic policy transformation has only exacerbated the Nigerian struggle of increasing employment opportunities. This has left the majority of living conditions suboptimal. Though Nigeria’s government has made macroeconomic changes to stimulate the economy, income has remained unable to keep up with sustained inflation, the World Bank reports.

Growth in Technology

As modernization brings technological access around the globe, nations experiencing substantial poverty bear the benefits. Smartphone technology has brought both global connectivity and the availability for benefiting from applications which require the internet. The 2018 Pew Research data found that 32% of Nigerians own a smartphone. Though figures show that smartphone ownership is broadly stratified by income, Nigeria has notably high low-income ownership compared to other sub-Saharan nations.

In 2018, 93% of high-income Nigerians owned smartphones, alongside 74% of low-income Nigerians. With ownership rates soaring overall, a 2020 GSMA and the World Bank study named Nigeria as “the largest mobile market and economy in Africa.”

Reducing Nigerian Poverty

Other global research studies have found a link between internet access, mobile banking, and reductions to national poverty rates. The 2020 GSMA and World Bank study focused on monitoring the effects of internet access on Nigerian poverty. In addition to the study’s assertion of Nigeria as one of Africa’s mobile giants, researchers found that after two years of broadband internet access, 2.5 million Nigerians had escaped extreme poverty. Additionally, the study noted how Nigerian households in rural areas benefited more substantially than those in urban communities.

The benefit of internet access experienced by impoverished Nigerians in rural communities is one reflected in a 2023 national survey. Conducted by the Department of Finance and Banking at the Rivers State University in Nigeria, scholars cited how rural communities often lack local banking branches. 2018 data from the World Bank noted that Nigeria has only 4.3 banks per 100,000 people. With access to the internet for these rural communities, mobile banking allows the ease of financial literacy without the necessity of extensive travel.

The study notes statistical evidence that mere knowledge around savings, payments, and credit positively impacts the poor and the success of new businesses. The researchers concluded that digital payment platforms provide substantial poverty alleviation for Nigerians in the Rivers State with implications for the nation at large.

Companies/Governmental Initiatives

In light of these findings that internet access is reducing Nigerian poverty, the national government has recently sought to expand broadband across the country. As Nigeria’s economy continues to stagnate, government officials see the availability of broadband as a possible solution for future economic growth.

The Broadband Strategic Plan 2020-2025 focuses on providing free nationwide areas where Nigerians can access the internet free of charge. Though the government has designated 75 public places itself (like airports, universities, marketplaces), Nigeria’s seven state governments have instituted their own initiatives for free Wifi. The Edo State government, for example, launched its “Free Wifi Initiative” in June 2023. The initiative provides free 24-hour internet coverage in both governmental and recreational areas, according to ICT Works.

Mobile Money on the Rise

As Nigeria continues to promote free internet access for its citizens, access and usage of mobile banking have only increased. In addition to governmental Wifi initiatives, institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria have planned to highlight their mobile framework.

In its 2024 Report on Mobile Money, the GSMA cited how in 2022 alone, Nigeria saw exponential growth in the usage of online banking services. As evidence proves that internet access is reducing Nigerian poverty, the continuance of government broadband initiatives and financial education programs could continue to be instrumental in this national eradication of hardship.

– Piper Aweeka

Piper is based in AReno, Nevada, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Agricultural Technology: Food Systems in Vietnam

Food Systems in VietnamFood systems in Vietnam have seen massive change in recent history. The country has witnessed significant agricultural growth over the last 30 years, which has undoubtedly alleviated the nation’s socioeconomic status. It has massively reduced food insecurity, contributed to a decline in poverty and also fostered an increasingly export-oriented economy – a major source of labor opportunities for the wider population. That said, food systems in Vietnam are not immune to the general plights of global agriculture in today’s world.

About Food Insecurity in Vietnam

Although Vietnam is a major food exporter, around 10–11% of its population still faces moderate or severe food insecurity, mainly in rural and ethnic minority communities. The impact of changing weather patterns – causing fluctuating weather, saltwater intrusion and exposure to floods or droughts – is a culprit guilty of destabilizing Vietnamese agricultural production.

An aging workforce and declining productivity among its labor pool. In Vietnam, the average age of farmers has risen significantly in recent years, and its general agricultural labor force has been shrinking.

Challenges in supply chain issues, which the agricultural industry is particularly susceptible to due to fragmented production, frequent changes in season or weather, issues with storage and food maintenance, etc. This is especially true in Vietnam where, in 2017, the World Bank put out a report detailing the weaknesses of Vietnam’s agricultural supply chains and the costly consequences for the nation’s GDP. The report stated that, “the main constraint on Vietnam’s agriculture supply chains is the lack of an integrated, end-to-end supply chain model, according to Mr. Julien Brun, Managing Partner at CEL Consulting.” These all disrupt production and access to nutritious food, leaving vulnerable groups at risk despite the nation’s agricultural growth.

The Rise of AgTech

What the World Bank recommends – and what is generally becoming not simply a need, but a requirement for a competitive agricultural market – is a rise in agricultural technology: to increase productivity, to keep track of and forewarn of market or natural fluctuations and to facilitate logistical efficiency.

Fortunately for Vietnam, while it is not immune to global agricultural issues, it is also not immune to global agricultural solutions. Agrifoodtech investment in developing markets reached $3.7 billion in 2024, surging a remarkable 63% year-over-year (YoY) and bucking the 4% decline observed in the agrifoodtech sector at the global level.

Techcoop

One of the leading firms in this Agtech revolution is a small startup by the name of Techcoop, which sees 2025 as its year of stardom—both in terms of funding and public recognition. According to the website TechInAsia, “This Series A round is one of the largest in Vietnam’s agritech sector, reflecting the growing demand for tech-driven agriculture solutions.”

What Techcoop does is address one of the main hindrances to supply chain issues in Vietnam’s agricultural industry, which, as aforementioned, the World Bank reported to be one of the sector’s major issues: namely supply chain and logistics inefficiency. Techcoop enables an integration of data into the agrarian world of farming through, among other things:

  • Codifying purchase agreements between the agribusiness, farmer-owned cooperatives, and the farmers, including key clauses such as advance payment, payment terms, committed volumes, price, quality standards, etc.
  • Facilitating fund distribution from partner financial institutions to agribusinesses, cooperatives and farmers for specific purposes.
  • Monitoring and enforcing contractual commitments through field and transactional data collection.

Techcoop is on the forefront not simply of Agtech, but also operates at its intersection with financial and legal technology facilitating the movement of financial funds and the drafting of contracts. 

Supply Chain Efficiency

This work of easing and improving supply chain efficiency has allowed Techcoop to address Vietnam’s logistical shortcomings. With how small-scale farming can be, agribusiness and local farmers have often been fragmented or lacking in their communication. Techcoop offers data analytics and tracking to mediate between them – allowing for a quantification of production to track the progress of contractual obligations, with data offered as an efficient and understandable language between various actors in the supply chain. This is increasingly important to consumers who more and more want greater farm-to-shelf traceability. Techcoop enables this through allowing for easier tracking of actors and processes within the complex agricultural supply chain. 

AgTech’s Role in Vietnam’s Trading Shifts

Startups like Techcoop that are participating in and forming this agritech revolution are going to be increasingly vital given the global shock to trade that Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs represented. Vietnam, having recently made a deal with Trump, opted to reduce U.S. tariffs on most goods to 20%, down from the previous 46% – but only in exchange for a 0% tariff on U.S. exports to Vietnam. This represents a major shift in Vietnam’s agricultural sector, which now has to compete with U.S. agricultural goods on home turf. Now, more than ever, Agtech matters in ensuring Vietnam’s agricultural productivity remains at a competitive level – particularly when facing U.S. goods paired with their own surge in agricultural technological innovation. Techcoop and companies like it will increasingly become the go-to solution for sustaining food systems in Vietnam – one of the nation’s most vital sectors.

– Inaam Munsoor

Inaam is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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SmartCane: Technology Empowers Blind Communities in India

SmartCaneIn India, visual disability affects approximately 0.23% of the population, with significantly higher rates, up to 1.53%, among older adults. Despite efforts to improve access, about 15% of people with visual disabilities still lack access to health care for their condition.

Barriers such as affordability, low literacy and geographic isolation disproportionately affect women, marginalized communities and people with low incomes. These challenges limit access not only to treatment but also to assistive devices like canes or glasses.

Smart cane technology in India is addressing this gap by using sensor-based innovation to improve mobility, independence and safety for people who are blind or visually impaired.

The Limits of Traditional Mobility Tools

An estimated 4.95 million people in India are blind and another 35 million are visually impaired. Cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors remain the leading causes of blindness and low vision, respectively.

Many of these individuals rely on traditional white canes for mobility. While helpful for detecting objects on the ground, conventional canes fail to detect obstacles above waist height, such as low-hanging signs or open windows.

This limitation increases the risk of accidents and discourages independent travel, especially in crowded or unfamiliar environments.

SmartCane Solution for Safer Navigation

Smart cane technology aims to overcome these limitations. The SmartCane was developed by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi in collaboration with Phoenix Medical Systems and Saksham Trust, with funding from the Wellcome Trust.

It is an electronic mobility aid that uses ultrasonic sensors to detect obstacles up to three meters away and at varying heights. The device sends tactile feedback through vibrations to alert users before impact. The SmartCane retails for around $34 and has reached more than 20,000 users across India and internationally.

Implementation and Impact

SmartCane’s distribution has primarily occurred through partnerships with NGOs, schools for the blind and regional disability centers in India. Saksham Trust, a key implementing partner, has helped train users to integrate the device into their daily routines. Instruction includes mobility training, orientation sessions and guidance on interpreting haptic feedback.

A study led by Rohan Paul, one of SmartCane’s innovators and a Rhodes Scholar, found a 93% reduction in collisions during a structured obstacle course compared to users of traditional canes. Another U.S.-based study of older adults evaluating smart mobility devices found that 83% supported the idea. Similarly, 100% believed they could learn to use it effectively with training. However, some raised concerns about accessibility, appearance and tech support.

Real Benefits Beyond Navigation

Smart canes give users greater independence, allowing them to move through public spaces and explore new places more confidently. Enhanced obstacle detection reduces the risk of injury and supports safer commuting. Integration with smartphones and other devices opens access to apps, navigation tools and public services.

However, affordability remains a barrier, especially for low-income users. About half of the people with visual disabilities can access recommended aids or appliances. Government subsidy programs and increased awareness could help scale the device’s reach and close these access gaps.

Looking Ahead

Smart cane technology in India illustrates how low-cost, scalable innovation can reshape the lives of people with disabilities. With further investment and inclusion in national disability programs, smart canes could empower millions to navigate their environments safely, independently and with dignity.

– Hayden Chedid

Hayden is based in Parker, CO, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Tackling the Digital Divide in Ghana

Digital Divide in GhanaGhana is a digital leader in West Africa, yet many women remain excluded from its benefits due to a range of cultural, social and economic barriers. World Bank data reveals that in 2021, 65% of Ghanaian women used the internet compared to 72% of men, a 7% gap. Furthermore, the disparity is even greater in digital finance, where 59% of women accessed mobile money versus 65% of men. This digital divide in Ghana limits women’s economic opportunities and their ability to participate fully in today’s digital economy.

Digital exclusion reinforces existing poverty and inequality, as equal access to advanced technologies is crucial for supporting women’s economic independence and fostering a more inclusive society. However, closing the digital divide in Ghana will give women the agency and empowerment to shape their futures and thrive in the digital economy.

Reasons Behind the Digital Divide

  • Existing Gender Inequality. Women in Ghana often have lower literacy levels, higher unemployment rates and lower incomes than men. Therefore, this existing divide makes it harder for women to understand how to use a mobile phone, successfully access the internet and learn new digital skills.
  • Affordability Barriers. In Ghana, women earn less than a third of what their male counterparts make. High data costs and the expense of owning a mobile phone limit women’s ability to access digital technologies and incorporate them into daily life easily.
  • Social Norms. Cultural norms in Ghana often place women in caregiving roles, discouraging them from STEM careers and making many reluctant to use digital technologies. This hesitation widens the digital divide, limiting women’s access to education, jobs and economic opportunities.

Current Initiatives

The GSM Association is a nonprofit that represents the interests of global mobile operators. It supports efforts to empower Ghanaian women with digital skills and access through complementary programs. Its ICT Skills for Entrepreneurial Women Empowerment initiative has trained 15,000 artisans and 720 female entrepreneurs in key digital skills. These include internet use, mobile money and social media marketing, helping them grow businesses and improve entrepreneurial growth.

To further enhance digital competence, the organization’s Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit offers free, multilingual video courses for micro-entrepreneurs. This initiative improves digital literacy, fosters economic independence and challenges traditional gender roles, opening new pathways for women in the workforce. Building on this digital foundation, the National Health Care Insurance Scheme’s mobile renewal option has boosted active membership by more than 50%, with 83% of women using this convenient service via mobile devices.

While these initiatives have seen success, the GSM Association surveys indicate that other e-government services are utilized at a lower rate. To tackle the digital divide in Ghana, external factors that hinder women from accessing such technologies must be taken into consideration. These include raising awareness, boosting digital literacy and addressing affordability barriers through targeted campaigns, training programs and expanded access to low-cost internet and devices.

Looking Ahead

“The Access to Agency: Empowering Women Through Digital Inclusion Conference,” held in July 2025, brought these challenges to the forefront. Indeed, sessions focused on expanding women’s access to smartphones, using WhatsApp networks for digital financial services and entrepreneurship and developing tailored safeguards to protect women’s privacy and safety online. By highlighting these priorities, the conference reinforced the need for targeted strategies that help women benefit equally from digital progress.

By putting women’s digital inclusion at the center of future strategies, Ghana can unlock new opportunities, reduce poverty and build a fairer, more prosperous society for all.

– Beatrice Punt

Beatrice is based in Manchester, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How 2D Participatory Maps Are Fighting Poverty in Chad

2D Participatory MapsChad is a landlocked Central African nation that spans the tropical, semi-arid belt known as the Sahel. While rich in natural resources, Chad ranks among the world’s most challenged countries in the United Nations (U.N.) Human Development Index (HDI).

A Nation in Emergency

Measured by poor life expectancy, education and living standards, Chad’s slow pace of development since French colonial rule has created deep-rooted challenges for its people. About 42% of the population lives below the poverty line and food insecurity has increased by 240% since 2020.

Despite the discovery of oil in 2003, Chad has remained overwhelmingly focused on military security. This, combined with a legacy of political instability, corruption and poverty, has left its growing population trapped in cycles of poverty, unemployment and deepening regional conflict.

As scarcity rises, the war in Sudan is creating a new humanitarian crisis, impacting trade routes, with almost one million Sudanese refugees crossing into its borders. These challenges divert Chad’s already limited resources from other critical areas of the economy as fuel and food prices surge rapidly.

Rising Temperatures in Chad

As desertification advances at a rate of four kilometers per year, Lake Chad, once one of Africa’s largest freshwater bodies and a source of survival for around 30 million people, has shrunk by 90% since 1960. Today, fewer than half of all children have access to safe drinking water.

Further, mass flooding in 2023, particularly in the most populated areas, destroyed an estimated 259,000 hectares of farmland. This affected 1.5 million people, creating further regional insecurity and disruption.

Climate studies project that temperatures in Chad will rise throughout the 21st century. This will likely result in lower crop yields, leaving communities to fight for scraps of land ravaged by extreme weather conditions.

2D Digital Maps for the Future

In the face of these great challenges, Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a cartographer and climate activist, has become a voice of hope among indigenous populations. Ibrahim is creating 2D participatory maps designed to combat poverty in Chad by helping communities identify and share resources in areas of emerging conflict.

Transhumance routes empower local communities and enable cultural exchange across the Sahel. These routes aim to reduce violent conflict by making populations less vulnerable to rising temperatures through evolving 2D participatory maps.

Integrating indigenous and scientific knowledge, Ibrahim’s maps are constantly evolving. Using annotated satellite imagery, they bring together leaders from 116 communities to agree on fair and sustainable use of fertile land, materials and freshwater points across 1,728 square kilometers.

The Chad Digital Transformation Project

While Ibrahim’s work sparks regional interest, only 19% of the Chadian population can access the necessary digital tools or facilities. This presents challenges in scaling the project, especially during a time of political and ecological instability.

However, within five years, the Chad Digital Transformation Project aims to provide an additional 4.5 million people with broadband access. The project will enable people to engage more comprehensively with the project in the coming years.

Conclusion

Chad’s challenges are immense, but participatory maps offer a hopeful path forward. By combining indigenous knowledge with digital tools, communities can manage resources and reduce conflict. As digital access expands, this grassroots solution could help turn local resilience into lasting impact.

– Gabriel John Gunn

Gabriel is based in Paisley, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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AI Technology Developed for Breast Cancer Screening in India

Breast Cancer Screening in IndiaFor decades since its inception, mammography has been the leading method for detecting breast cancer. However, a new AI technology called Thermalytix could become a less invasive and less expensive early intervention tool, as shown through its trials of breast cancer screening in India.

Breast Cancer in India

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. It also has the fourth-highest mortality rate out of any cancer. In India specifically, it is a significant issue. Despite having lower incidence levels, the nation continues to have similar or higher mortality rates than Western countries. One of the main contributors to this high rate of mortality is delayed detection.

Health professionals recommended that all females aged 40 and above receive yearly mammograms to screen for breast cancer. However, according to the Longitudinal Aging Study in India, fewer than 2% of the 35,083 women aged above 40 surveyed reported receiving a mammogram in the past two years. Due to this lack of thorough and routine examination, many breast cancers are not diagnosed until they are in advanced stages.

The percentage of women who reported receiving mammograms varies slightly based on socioeconomic status, other preexisting health conditions and place of residence. However, as a whole, access to and use of mammogram technology for breast cancer screening is limited. This is due to high costs and lack of adequate medical equipment and workers in India and other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Predictive Screening With AI

Niramai, a tech company located in Bengaluru, India, has developed an AI technology known as Thermalytix, which detects indicators of breast cancer. Thermalytix uses computer software to analyze thermal imaging of breasts and scan them for abnormal “hot spots, warm spots and vascular patterns” and determine the probability of any malignant lesions.

Since 2016, Niramai has conducted studies on the effectiveness of Thermalytix in different clinics and hospitals across India. Over the past nine years, Niramai has invited more than 16,000 women to participate in clinical trials, improving its Thermalytix technology. Thermalytix was evaluated in terms of sensitivity (ability to identify true positives) and specificity (ability to identify true negatives) in each study.

In every iteration, Thermalytix has consistently scored between 82-98% in sensitivity and 80-88% in specificity. It has already “received regulatory approval in India” and met the health and safety criteria to receive the CE mark in Europe. Thermalytix patients found to be positive or at high risk for breast cancer are always referred to receive further testing with either mammography, MRI or ultrasound technology. However, its effectiveness as an early intervention tool is not to be understated.

Conclusion

As a lower-cost and noninvasive technology, Thermalytix has the potential to make breast cancer screening in India more accessible to the general population. If implemented on a large scale, this technology could “improve overall treatment outcomes” by catching breast cancer before it reaches the later stages.

– Delaney Gouveia

Delaney is based in Newport, RI, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Drones Reducing Tuberculosis in Nepal

Tuberculosis in Nepal: How Drones are Helping Tuberculosis has long affected rural nations across the globe, but the crisis in Nepal is particularly concerning. In 2023, 68,000 people in the country had tuberculosis, nearly a third of whom died. Tuberculosis also remains among the top five causes of death in Nepal. Exacerbated by limited access to medical treatment and high transmission rates, the disease continues to pose a serious threat. However, new technologies—including drones—offer potential solutions that could transform health care delivery in Nepal and beyond. 

A Persistent Threat in Nepal

Tuberculosis is a serious infectious bacterial disease that spreads through coughs and sneezes. When detected and treated early, it is both preventable and curable. However, geographic and economic barriers make tuberculosis more difficult to manage in Nepal. Approximately 50% of Nepalis must travel between six and eight hours to reach a health care facility. It is the isolation and lack of infrastructure in the rural regions, where 80% of Nepalis reside, that deepens the inaccessibility of medical care. With these roadblocks, fewer citizens actively seek out care and the diagnosis of tuberculosis is consistently delayed. As a result, almost 70% of Nepalis are carriers of the disease and may face serious consequences in the future.

The Danger of Delayed Treatment

Once exposed to tuberculosis, it is important to seek out medical care quickly to begin treatment and prevent the spread of this potentially deadly disease. However, because seeking medical treatment in Nepal is such a burden, many seek it out very infrequently or not at all. The longer people wait to seek tuberculosis treatment, the more serious the illness can become. By waiting for an official diagnosis and treatment, they risk increased rates of community transmission and potential health issues. This transmission and these complications have led to significant economic decline. Many become bedridden or unable to work as a result of the disease, leading to increased poverty rates. Telemedicine, however, is making notable progress. Organizations have begun using drones to diagnose and treat tuberculosis patients more efficiently.

Using Drones to Fight Tuberculosis in Nepal

A number of institutions, including WeRobotics, Stony Brook University and Nepal Flying Labs, have been utilizing cargo drones to combat tuberculosis in Nepal. These drones collect samples from individuals suspected of having tuberculosis and deliver them for testing. The same drones also help administer treatment. Tuberculosis treatment often spans several months, making it difficult for patients in remote areas to complete. However, with the support of these drones, a technology known as e-DOTS can facilitate therapy remotely.

Building Toward Health Equity

The efforts made by these international organizations are enabling tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment. Technology like these drones is not only helping to reduce the prevalence of tuberculosis, but also represents a step toward bringing medical care to rural areas in need. Telemedicine is actively empowering rural communities by providing access to timely care. So far, these drones have tested more than 700 people in rural Nepali communities. It is the hope of many that technology like this will continue to cross borders and support international poverty reduction.

– Caroline May

Caroline is based in Denver, CO, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Benefits of Telemedicine in Rural Africa

Telemedicine in AfricaAfrica is home to more than 1.5 billion people. The differences between the North and sub-Saharan regions often characterize it. The majority, approximately 1.29 billion, live in sub-Saharan Africa, which remains significantly less urbanized than the North. Although urbanization is steadily increasing across the continent, most people still live in rural areas. As of 2024, 56% of the sub-Saharan population resides in rural communities.

Despite Africa having the highest disease burden compared to the other continents, it also has the lowest ratio of health workers to the population. It carries nearly a quarter of the disease burden on a global scale, yet only holds around 3% of health care workers. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Africa has a mere 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people, compared to 37.6 doctors per 10,000 in Europe. In addition, an estimated deficit of 11.1 million health care employees is projected by 2030, with most of the disparity affecting Africa.

Telemedicine Services in Africa

Combined with the excessive burden of disease outbreaks and largely understaffed health care facilities, Africa’s health care systems are overwhelmed and unable to serve their population equitably. Those living in sub-Saharan Africa are notably disadvantaged, with the region having the lowest ratings in well-being and satisfaction with health care services. Most people live in rural areas and their access to health care services is even more limited. In response, many rural areas in Africa have introduced telemedicine services and the results are promising.

Telemedicine involves using apps designed for personal communication devices like tablets and phones to deliver various health care services. Some telemedicine services offer telephonic or face-to-face communication with health care workers, SMS for treatment support or questions and online platforms to view medical records or schedule health consultations. Many African companies are investing and creating these online platforms to better serve their communities, especially those in rural areas with limited access to health care resources. Below are three telemedicine platforms implemented in different sub-Saharan African countries.

EasyClinic in Rwanda

EasyClinic is an online platform designed to improve health care access and efficiency, especially for Rwandans in rural communities. Key features of EasyClinic include generating prescriptions in only 30 seconds and delivering them via Email, WhatsApp or SMS, along with consultations with medical professionals through chat or video.

EasyClinic also utilizes AI to generate prescriptions and notes and send appointment reminders. In addition, the platform provides AI-powered diagnostic services based on the patient’s history and general symptoms.

Daktari Smart Program in Kenya

Launched in November 2021, the Daktari Smart Program utilizes telemedicine to provide specialized care to children in Kenya. This program allows Gertrude Children’s Hospital Specialists to connect with health care providers at rural facilities in Africa, allowing them to evaluate patients more accurately using telemedicine services.

The online connection also increased education for local providers and health care volunteers in more rural areas. In addition, the platform can operate at a low bandwidth, between 512Kbps to 2Mbps, ensuring the services are reliable even in rural areas with poor internet service.

Thus far, the program has provided free health care services to more than 32,400 children in Kenya, saving them time and money. This has also created more jobs for health care employees, increasing rural facility staff by 300 workers. The program has also trained more than 300 volunteers throughout Kenya’s rural communities, improving health care access for many.

Rocket Health in Uganda

Founded in 2012, Rocket Health is Uganda’s most-used telemedicine app, providing full service to more than 25,000 patients. To ensure primary care is more affordable and accessible for all Ugandans, the startup focuses on 24/7 online consultations, medication delivery and the collection of laboratory samples from patients’ homes.

Rocket Health is also introducing a new AI diagnostics feature that would allow doctors to quickly run patients through a set of questions to help them identify diseases faster. The AI service can identify up to 90% of medical conditions in combination with telephone assessments and remote lab tests. Online consultations have skyrocketed during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, with Rocket Health providing more than 400,000 online consultations.

Conclusion

Telemedicine platforms like EasyClinic, the Daktari Smart Program and Rocket Health are transforming how health care is accessed and delivered across rural regions in sub-Saharan Africa. In areas where health care systems and workers are overwhelmed, these digital solutions provide a virtual bridge between underserved populations and life-saving health services. By combining mobile technology with AI, diagnoses are often delivered faster and more accurate, allowing for even more patients to be assessed.

For rural communities that have long been excluded from equitable health care, these technology innovations are more than convenient; they are essential. As the sub-Saharan region continues to face systemic health challenges, telemedicine stands out as a key tool for closing the health care gap in the most remote and vulnerable communities in Africa.

– Grace Johnson

Grace is based in Chicago, IL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Virtual Reality Surgical Training in Low-Resource Countries

5 Ways Virtual Reality Surgical Training Transforms Low-Resource CountriesIn many low-resource countries, surgical training faces limitations due to a lack of equipment, mentors and opportunities for hands-on practice. Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as an affordable and scalable solution to bridge these gaps. Here are five ways VR is transforming surgical education in these regions.

5 Ways VR Surgical Training Transforms Countries

  1. Teaching Without Cadavers or Overseas Travel. Virtual reality surgical training allows surgeons to practice complex procedures without cadavers or international fellowships. In a joint session between Bahir Dar, Ethiopia and the United Kingdom (U.K.), 13 Ethiopian and 30 U.K. participants viewed 360° VR-recorded orthopedic operations with live commentary; nearly all delegates reported that VR training enhanced learning value, aided surgical performance and surpassed conventional resources. In a separate randomized controlled trial involving surgical residents, immersive VR significantly boosted self-confidence compared to traditional instruction. These results demonstrate that VR training yields measurable confidence gains in settings where cadaver access remains scarce.
  2. Training Surgeons in Nepal for Emergency Procedures. Oxford Medical Simulation (OMS) has partnered with global health educators to deliver VR-based emergency medical training scenarios in low-resource hospitals, including settings like Patan Hospital in Nepal. These applications let users practice decision‑making under pressure for emergencies such as trauma and obstetric crises. A pilot study showing that VR simulation is at least as effective as traditional simulation in acute care scenarios referenced Oxford’s platform and underscored its decision‑making training capabilities. At least 150 students showed that self-assessed competence was significantly higher in VR-based courses compared to e-learning alone, though similar to tutor-led sessions. Course suitability ratings favored tutor-led training, with VR ranked in the middle. Researchers concluded that while VR enhances the learning experience, the number of sutures performed during practice remains the strongest predictor of skill.
  3. Reducing Training Costs Dramatically. Traditional cadaver labs cost schools up to $10,000 per cadaver and limit how many students can train at once. Synthetic cadavers like SynDaver’s models cost around $70,000 but avoid tissue decay and pay for themselves within a few years. Virtual reality surgical training is even more affordable. VictoryXR’s virtual cadaver labs cost about $15,000 and let multiple students study photorealistic anatomy simultaneously. Though haptic feedback remains limited, VR reduces costs and expands access to advanced surgical training for schools with fewer resources.
  4. Enhancing Cataract Surgery Skills in Ethiopia. Orbis International teamed with FundamentalVR in 2025 to deliver virtual reality surgical training for cataract surgery to ophthalmologists across Ethiopia. The new tool uses affordable gaming hardware and focuses on manual small-incision cataract surgery, the technique most commonly performed in low-resource countries. It enables independent learning through automated performance monitoring and feedback, helping residents build skills in a realistic simulation before entering the operating room. The VR platform integrates with Orbis’s telemedicine and e-learning platform, Cybersight and is already in use at partner hospitals in Ethiopia, Bangladesh, China, Mongolia and India. By targeting local surgical methods and offering affordable, portable training, this program aims to grow the number of skilled cataract surgeons and improve patient outcomes in underserved communities.
  5. Improving Competency for Laparoscopic Surgeries. OMS launched VR training for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in partnership with local medical universities in countries like Nepal and Ethiopia. Trainees practiced precision skills such as bead placement, bead transfer, balloon cutting and intracorporeal suturing. Post-training assessments showed significant improvements, with task completion times reduced by up to 137.8 seconds for suturing exercises. The mean workshop score increased from 8.15 to 9.3, reflecting greater surgical proficiency and confidence. Sentiment analysis also found that 88% of participants reported an increased interest in pursuing surgery as a career.

Strengthening Surgical Training Systems

Virtual reality surgical training is revolutionizing how surgeons gain critical skills in low-resource nations. By eliminating reliance on cadavers, costly labs and overseas fellowships, these programs empower countries to build strong surgical workforces locally. Early results show marked gains in surgeon competency, speed and confidence. As this technology continues to expand, it holds the potential to transform patient outcomes and strengthen health systems where surgical care has long been out of reach.

– Hayden Chedid

Hayden is based in Parker,CO, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr