Archive for category: Technology

Information and stories about technology news.

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Expanding Digital Access and Education in Rural Kenya

Education in Rural KenyaKenya, located in East Africa, has a rather complex educational history that has evolved from colonial and missionary influences to the current structure. Initially, digital access and education in rural Kenya were considered segregated. There was a strong focus on serving the interests of the colonial powers and religious institutions rather than being seen as a source for the people of Kenya.

Kenya operates an education system that is structured around a 2-6-6-3 framework. This framework includes no more than two years of “pre-primary,” six years of primary, six years of secondary, which is split into three years of junior and three years of senior secondary and a minimum of three years of tertiary education.

COVID-19 and the Kenyan Education System

Children have had to endure more than what most people would consider a “fair amount” when it comes to the education switches in Kenya during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, school closures disrupted learning for more than 17 million children. In 2021, it was encouraging to see things seemingly return to normal. With children scoring higher test results and a safe return to school, everything seemed to be back on track.

However, for many of Kenya’s children, the return to school did not coincide with a return to normality. This was mainly due to the learning loss that both younger and rural children experienced in 2020 and because some children have still not returned to school. This resulted in what seemed like a lost hope for learning and education in rural Kenya.

According to an article published by Whizz Education titled “Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on Learning in Rural Kenya,” it was found that 53% of students show declines in their levels of maths knowledge or “maths age.” The average loss among those students was 13 months, meaning that their maths age had regressed by more than a year from where it was before the start of school closures.

The learning loss was greater in the lower grades than the higher ones, which is most likely why these results were not reflected in exams. Girls were far more impacted than boys. Additionally, much more than their counterparts in richer urban areas, those in poorer rural regions experienced an increase in already existing inequalities. If children lost math skills during school closures, it is safe to assume they also lost reading, writing and other crucial skills.

The Digital Literacy Program

Launched in 2013, Kenya’s Digital Literacy Program (DLP) is a government initiative to integrate digital technologies such as laptops, tablets and projectors. It also includes tools like DLP content servers, digital wireless routers and power solutions, including solar power for off-grid schools. The program’s overall goal is to expand and improve education in rural Kenya.

Kenya’s DLP has connected rural communities in Kenya to a broader variety of information that goes beyond the scope of just Africa. Furthermore, using digital learning tools has increased student engagement in recent years, promoting a more engaging and relevant school environment for students.

This program has also fostered community development by enabling students and residents to participate in various online activities, connect with others and explore economic and educational opportunities.

Looking Forward

To this day, initiatives are being put in place to help Kenya expand its digital access for education. One of these key initiatives is called the National Digital Masterplan. This plan aims to improve digital literacy in schools by focusing on the digital infrastructure, government services, skills development and innovation.

Another key initiative to help Kenya expand its digital access for education is known as the DigiSchool Connectivity Project. This collaborative initiative in Kenya focuses on integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into everyday teaching. Led by Kenya’s Ministry of Education and ICT Authority, also in partnership with UNESCO and Huawei, this project’s goal is to provide safe and reliable internet access to schools all across Africa. It has already been implemented in two phases, connecting approximately 34 schools and six special education schools.

– Simone Sanchez

Simone is based in Huntington, NY, US and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Silicon Valleys of Africa: The Burgeoning Tech Hubs in Africa

Tech Hubs in AfricaThe media often depicts Africa as a deeply impoverished continent, where governments struggle to provide basic resources for their populations and rely heavily on Western aid. While Africa does suffer from some of the highest rates of poverty in the world, the entire picture is multifaceted.

It is an incredibly resource-rich continent that has been the victim of colonial exploitation. While the imagery of malnourished children with bloated stomachs draws sympathy, it does not tell the whole story. In truth, there are many thriving industries and burgeoning hubs in Africa.

Africa is the fastest-growing continent in terms of population and aid creates a pathway for future profitable trade relations. Aid should not focus only on short-term fixes but also on long-term paths to autonomy for African nations. Many cities are already prosperous markets that foster innovation. Here are three burgeoning tech hubs in Africa:

Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos has already established itself as one of the leading tech hubs of the future, not just in Africa, but globally. It ranked first in the Rising Stars category of Dealroom.co’s 2025 Tech Ecosystem Index, with a 1100% growth rate since 2017. There are five unicorns, private companies with valuations of more than $1 billion, based in Lagos.

The city provides a centralized market, as most industries are focused on the neighborhoods of Marina and Victoria Island, as opposed to the split markets of Johannesburg and Cape Town. Infrastructure currently poses a challenge to expansion in Lagos. It is difficult to “find anywhere in Lagos that would take 3,000 people in one go.” In response, Tech entrepreneur Iyin Aboyeji is building a 72,000-square-foot business park near the metro area.

Education is one of the foundations of upward mobility. Providing equal access to education is a way to improve the lives of those suffering and ensure that a nation’s best talent is placed in the proper roles. The Global Partnership for Education grant is a partnership between the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Nigeria’s Ministry of Education that provides funding for education initiatives within Nigeria.

The program has pledged $100 million in funding from 2024 to 2027. Some of its priorities include improving school infrastructure and teacher training in various facets of education.

Nairobi, Kenya

Nairobi, also known as Silicon Savannah, is one of the burgeoning tech hubs in Africa and has cemented itself as East Africa’s center of innovation. The international community is taking notice of Nairobi, as Microsoft has just invested $1 billion in a data center in Kenya. This will provide cloud computing through Microsoft Azure to East Africa.

M-Pesa, a mobile payment enterprise, is largely responsible for Nairobi’s rise as a tech hub. In 2007, it pioneered a secure platform that enabled people to transfer money using only their cellphones. The fintech sector has continued to expand, with other companies, such as M-Kopa, Lendable and Tala, basing their operations in Nairobi.

Incubators have also found a foothold in Silicon Savannah. The U.S. Embassy operates tech hubs for entrepreneurs who may not have proper access to technology. Both founded in 2010, iHub and Nailab are two incubators intended to accelerate African innovation and improve Kenya’s economic prosperity by bringing together creative thinkers and providing proper mentorship.

Programs that foster innovation will help maintain Nairobi’s growth and its status as one of the burgeoning tech hubs in Africa.

Kigali, Rwanda

Although currently a smaller market than the previous two cities, Kigali remains one of the burgeoning tech hubs in Africa. Unlike Nairobi’s private enterprise-driven expansion, Kigali maintains substantial support from Rwanda’s government. There has been a state-led effort for “digital transformation.” 4G or 5G currently enables 95% of the city.

The Kigali Innovation City is a business hub that houses universities, incubators and office spaces for emerging tech companies. Additionally, the city hosts the Africa Tech Summit. However, the city faces challenges like the infamous “brain drain.”

Because Kigali’s innovation efforts are public endeavors, salaries remain more lucrative in cities such as Nairobi and much of Kigali’s top talent is being lured out of Rwanda. The solution, once again, lies in education. In conjunction with Andela’s coding boot camp, institutions such as Carnegie Mellon University and African Leadership University produce approximately 2,600 tech graduates annually.

The Timbuktu Fund, sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to foster startups around Africa. Programs like these help drive up wages and economic growth in places like Kigali, which in turn helps the city maintain its workforce.

Conclusion

Lagos, Nairobi, and Kigali show that Africa is redefining its story, from dependency to innovation. With growing investment, talent and education initiatives, these hubs are positioning the continent as a rising force in global technology.

– Patrick Feeney

Patrick is based in Los Angeles, CA, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Giga and The Digital Divide in Africa

gigaLimited internet access across sub‑Saharan Africa affects far more than social media or streaming. It shapes whether students can learn, teachers can access training and health workers can reach patients in remote places. The Groupe Spéciale Mobile Association (GSMA) estimates that sub‑Saharan Africa has the world’s largest mobile internet usage gap, driven by affordability, skills and device access.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) report that two-thirds of the world’s school‑age children lack internet access at home. Children in low- and middle-income countries are particularly affected. Closing these gaps is central to cutting poverty and unlocking long‑term development.

How Connectivity Translates to Classrooms and Clinics

When schools get reliable internet, students can access digital lessons, teachers can join training and ministries can target support based on real‑time data. In health, mobile platforms let nurses triage cases, issue reminders and consult specialists without long referrals.

The result is time saved, better information and fewer missed appointments. In places where travel is costly or unsafe, digital services extend the reach of education and primary care.

Giga: Connecting Every School

Giga, a UNICEF and ITU partnership, works to connect every school to the internet and every young person to information and opportunity. The initiative maps schools, tracks connectivity in real time and supports governments in financing and procuring affordable services.

In sub‑Saharan Africa, Giga works with governments including Rwanda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Niger and Zimbabwe to map schools and design viable financing models. Public‑private partnerships, satellite mapping and open data are helping countries plan where and how to connect first.

To speed up progress, Giga has teamed up with industry and tech partners to lower costs and expand coverage. Market assessments call for a collaborative push to connect every African school by 2030, while mapping work with companies like Mapbox and AI partners has identified tens of thousands of previously unmapped schools. Partnerships with providers such as Liquid and IHS Towers support connectivity rollouts and school mapping at scale.

Smart Africa: A Regional Blueprint for Scale

Smart Africa is a pan‑African alliance working toward a Single Digital Market. Its SMART Broadband 2025 blueprint aligns with U.N. Broadband Commission targets. It focuses on affordability, coverage and policy harmonization for faster rollout.

At the continental level, the African Union’s Digital Transformation Strategy aims to build a digital single market by 2030, with supportive regulation, regional infrastructure and cross‑border services. Together, these frameworks guide countries on spectrum, universal service funds and investment climates that make school and clinic connectivity more sustainable.

Mobile Health: Bringing Care to the Last Mile

Mobile health services show how connectivity improves daily life. In South Africa, Hello Doctor provides 24/7 phone and app access to registered doctors, including callback and prescription support within national regulations. Regional models go further. In Rwanda, the government signed a 10‑year agreement with Babyl to provide telemedicine through basic phones and data services, expanding access for millions who live far from clinics.

Pharmacy‑based telehealth is also growing. mPharma is rolling out Mutti Doctor and subscription services that support remote consultations and point‑of‑care testing across multiple markets.

Barriers That Still Block Progress

Affordability, device availability and digital skills remain the biggest obstacles. GSMA finds that adults in rural areas are far less likely to use mobile internet than those in cities and women are less likely than men to be online. Industry and development partners are responding with device financing, digital literacy programs and policy reforms that reduce taxes and fees on data and smartphones.

A 2024 industry coalition, backed by global institutions, is focused on closing the usage gap by improving access to affordable, internet‑enabled devices.

What Works: Schools First, Clinics Next

The most promising models start with clear targets, open data and local ownership. Map schools, publish the data and invite providers to compete on price and quality. Connect clinics along the same routes and share infrastructure where possible.

Link connectivity with training, curriculum and telehealth workflows so that teachers, nurses and community health workers can use the connection from day one. The result is better learning, faster referrals and fewer missed visits.

A Roadmap To Narrow the Divide

Giga’s school connectivity model, Smart Africa’s broadband blueprint and mobile health platforms show that closing the digital divide is achievable at scale. Investments that combine infrastructure with skills and services can deliver immediate gains in classrooms and clinics while building inclusive growth over time.

With governments, private sector partners and communities working together, Africa can connect its schools, strengthen primary care and give the next generation the tools to thrive.

– Joseph Hasty

Joseph is based in Winter Park, FL, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Global Telehealth Network: Increasing Health Care Access

Global Telehealth NetworkAfrica is home to more than 1.5 billion individuals, with approximately 1.29 billion residing in sub-Saharan Africa. While Africa’s population is gradually moving toward more urbanized regions, 56% of those in sub-Saharan Africa live in rural communities. In general, Africans face many struggles with health care, including a lack of infrastructure, facilities, personnel and support.

Health Care Challenges

More than 600 million individuals in Africa lack access to health care services. While Africa contains 16% of the world’s population and 23% of the global disease burden, it only receives 1% of global health expenditures. Africa has the highest disease burden compared to the other continents. Yet, 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 Organization (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.

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 its 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.

With most of Africa’s population residing in rural areas, their access to health care services is even more limited. In response, health organizations have partnered with local governments and introduced telemedicine services.

Telemedicine Services in Africa

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 companies throughout Africa and beyond are investing and creating these online platforms to better serve their communities, especially those in rural areas with limited access to health care resources.

While telemedicine does support underserved populations, this alone is insufficient to address health care concerns to the fullest extent. A key component of improving the health of underserved populations is prevention. Preventive measures are linked to lower rates of illness and mortality in cancer, chronic disease, mental health, vision, oral health and immunizations. With the combination of telemedicine and effective preventative initiatives, there is hope for improving the health of vulnerable communities.

The Global Telehealth Network

One organization that emphasizes support through telemedicine and prevention is the nonprofit organization, Global Telehealth Network (GTN). GTN was established to improve health care disparities in rural and underserved communities by assisting in health promotion and disease prevention. Volunteer doctors and psychologists for GTN help health care workers in rural areas who face complicated health issues.

The Borgen Project spoke to the President and Chief Medical Officer at GTN, Jack Higgins, about the organization’s telemedicine pilot programs and other initiatives for helping those in rural areas with a lack of access to health care resources.

Higgins said, “Somebody’s health depends as much on where they live, their family history or their cholesterol levels. Basically, by zip code, you can almost predict the average life span for people, because of the inequalities in our society and in Africa, it’s more so because the poverty is even worse. The problems with clean water are even worse and other environmental concerns and sometimes political concerns.”

Access to Medical Professionals

Considering the shortage of medical professionals, especially in rural areas, GTN has specifically focused on those regions. Higgins said, “Uganda and Kenya both have decent health systems in the cities; it’s out in the rural areas where they have almost nothing. And that’s our biggest concentration, connecting them to the people in the cities whenever possible, because they can get consultations without having to go for 10 hours or whatever to see a doctor.” Physicians can treat more patients effectively and efficiently by allowing faster health care services.

Higgins also discussed GTN’s prevention efforts in combination with telemedicine. Higgins said, “It turned out we could do this online in a way that is totally feasible, in that the cost could be much less than it would be if you had to hire a person who’s going to sit there somewhere all the time, whether their patients come in or not. So the hope is that by making preventive care really available to people, it’ll make it easier for them.”

Building Community Resources for Sustainable Health

Despite its efforts in prevention via telemedicine services, Higgins explained that these efforts will grow more effective by providing community resources: “If the kids are drinking dirty water and they’re starving, they’re malnourished, then you’re not going to go very far in terms of really helping that community. So we started partnering with other organizations that have other skills and now we’re developing these community resource centers that can offer a lot of different things.”

GTN has begun building coalitions with rotary clubs and nonprofit organizations to provide services and resources to underserved populations. These include WASH stations, libraries, Climate-smart agriculture training, solar power projects and increased internet access. However, these efforts cannot be fully implemented without proper funding.

Higgins said, “There won’t be enough money coming from the governments to do the job. A combination of philanthropy and NGOs, nonprofits like us can hopefully give them the assistance they need to create sustainable and high-quality health care systems and that’s what we’re about.”

Conclusion

The work of Global Telehealth Network shows that expanding telemedicine alongside community resources can bridge rural health care gaps. However, a lasting impact will depend on strong partnerships and sustainable funding.

– 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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Digital Midwifery in Bolivia: Rural Mothers and Mobile Tech

Digital Midwifery in Bolivia

In the remote highlands of Bolivia’s Andes, where health care facilities are scarce and distances vast, accessing postpartum care has long been a challenge for new mothers. However, since 2023, a transformative initiative has been underway: midwives equipped with mobile devices and WhatsApp provide virtual postnatal check-ins. They offer guidance on breastfeeding, wound care and infant development, all from the comfort of home.

Bridging the Gap With Technology

Bolivia’s mountainous terrain often makes traditional health care services inaccessible to rural populations. For mothers in these regions, reaching the nearest clinic can mean walking across rugged landscapes for hours or even days. Recognizing this challenge, the Bolivian government, in collaboration with organizations like the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Plan International, has been integrating traditional midwives into the formal health care system.

This integration involves training midwives and equipping them with tools to enhance maternal and neonatal care in indigenous communities. For many, this training includes learning how to use mobile technology as a bridge to connect isolated mothers with professional advice. By introducing WhatsApp consultations, midwives can now conduct remote check-ins, answer urgent questions and provide ongoing support to families who would otherwise remain cut off from timely medical care.

A New Era of Maternal Care

The use of mobile technology has revolutionized postpartum care in these communities. Midwives, who are often deeply rooted in the culture and languages of the Indigenous populations they serve, are uniquely positioned to build trust and reduce barriers to care. WhatsApp has become a lifeline for mothers, allowing them to communicate efficiently through voice notes, video calls and photos.

Through these platforms, midwives provide personalized advice on topics such as breastfeeding techniques, recognizing the early signs of postpartum depression, monitoring wound healing after childbirth and ensuring proper infant nutrition. These conversations go beyond clinical checklists—they validate traditional practices while introducing evidence-based recommendations, striking a balance that resonates with local families.

Importantly, this method of care strengthens emotional bonds. Mothers report feeling less isolated and more confident, knowing someone is “just a call away” to answer questions or provide reassurance. This culturally sensitive approach, rooted in both tradition and innovation, ensures that health advice is not only accessible but also trusted.

Impact and Future Prospects

The early results of this initiative are promising. Communities that once faced high rates of postpartum complications are seeing improvements in maternal and infant health. Mothers express greater confidence in caring for themselves and their babies. They report that quick access to midwife guidance helps them resolve health concerns before they become emergencies.

Beyond individual families, the ripple effect is significant. Fathers and extended family members are also included in digital consultations, learning how to support new mothers more effectively. Midwives are gaining professional recognition and increased status within the health care system, bridging the divide between traditional knowledge and modern medicine.

This initiative also reduces the financial burden on families. Without the need to travel long distances, mothers save time and money, resources that can instead be directed toward food, childcare or household needs.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite its successes, digital midwifery in Bolivia still faces challenges. Connectivity remains unreliable in some areas; not every household can access smartphones or stable electricity. Training programs will need to be ongoing to ensure midwives are confident using digital platforms and adapting to updates in technology.

Nevertheless, the growth potential is substantial. Policymakers and health organizations are considering ways to expand this model to other rural regions of Bolivia and even across neighboring countries in Latin America. By continuing to blend traditional midwifery practices with digital health tools, Bolivia is setting a precedent for culturally sensitive, accessible and scalable maternal health care.

If successful, digital midwifery could serve as a blueprint for addressing maternal health gaps in other parts of the world with similar geographic and cultural barriers to Bolivia. The initiative highlights how low-cost, user-friendly technology, when placed in the hands of trusted community leaders, can reshape health care systems and save lives.

– Marina Martin

Marina is based in Rapid City, SD, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Drones in Nepal Delivering Hope via Medical Supplies

Drones in Nepal

Nepal’s mountainous terrain and fragile road network create severe challenges for medical access. In Dudhauli Municipality’s Ward 12, residents face hour-long drives on rocky roads prone to landslides and flooding during the monsoon season, often cutting them off from urgent care. In such regions, delays in medical delivery can be the difference between life and death. That is why medical drones in Nepal are vital to local communities.

Amma: The Drone Project Bringing Medicine to Villages

In response, a collaboration between Storming Universe, Kathmandu University and partners in Portugal is pioneering a new solution. The project, called Amma, meaning “mother” in Nepali, focuses on using drones to deliver life-saving supplies such as blood and essential medicines directly to isolated villages.

A recent test flight transported supplies from Sirthauli Hospital to Ward 12, demonstrating drones’ potential to bypass treacherous terrain. Locals and medical teams expressed optimism, seeing medical drones in Nepal as a reliable and faster alternative to traditional transport methods.

Partnerships Driving Innovation

The Amma project benefits from wide-ranging support. Turkish Airlines has provided transportation backing, while Madhuka Drone Services, a Nepali company specializing in drone services, is exploring integrating the technology into regular operations. With local adoption, the initiative could scale nationwide, offering thousands of communities a safer path to health care.

This effort builds on earlier partnerships with groups like Options Consultancy Services and Nepal Flying Labs, which worked with the Government of Nepal to test drones for delivering tuberculosis samples and COVID-19 vaccines. These trials highlighted the role of medical drones in Nepal in addressing health system shortages and bringing “last mile” health care to underserved populations.

Global Context and Local Solutions

Globally, drones are gaining recognition for their role in health care logistics. From carrying sputum samples in rural India to delivering emergency medicines in sub-Saharan Africa, drone technology is transforming access to essential care. In Nepal, 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with many communities several hours away from hospitals. Drones could play a vital role in reducing preventable deaths.

Moreover, local innovators such as Prokura Innovations, supported by UNICEF’s Innovation Fund, build low-cost drones domestically, ensuring technology is adapted to Nepal’s unique terrain and needs. These efforts emphasise sustainability, training local operators and embedding services within national health systems.

A Beacon of Hope

Though challenges such as limited payload capacity and regulatory hurdles remain, the Amma project represents a hopeful shift in Nepal’s health care delivery. By harnessing drone technology, isolated communities gain faster medical care and renewed trust in the possibility of timely health care.

As Amma and similar initiatives expand, medical drones in Nepal carrying blood, vaccines and medicines could soon become common across the country’s skies. Ultimately, they could offer lifelines of hope and survival.

– Robert Darke

Robert is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Electricity in Bolivia is Lifting Rural Communities Out of Poverty

Electricity in BoliviaBolivia, a country with a poverty rate of 36.4% as of 2021, has been experiencing a difficult period regarding its poverty issues. One of the many ways Bolivia has been working to combat this issue is by providing electricity nationwide. In 2023, rural electrical coverage reached 85.1%, meanwhile urban coverage reached 99.3%.

The main goal for the Bolivian government is for the country to get 100% coverage by the end of 2025. Access to electricity benefits those living in poverty by providing a higher quality of life, creating jobs, better access to education and advances in health services.

Electricity Program for Living With Dignity

In 2008, Bolivia launched the Electricity Program for Living With Dignity (PEVD) initiative to expand nationwide access to electricity, focusing on the poorest communities. Rural areas faced the greatest challenges: electricity and food access rates lagged far behind urban centers. According to the WFP, 75% of Bolivian families lack regular access to food. The PEVD program has since made a significant impact in remote and rural regions.

According to the World Bank Group, Bolivia advanced this effort through a series of projects, including an expansion model for a “national decentralized service framework.” Between 2014 and 2019, the government implemented eight grid-extension subprojects with notable outcomes: 4,300 households were connected to the power grid, providing electricity to 20,200 people; 708 kilometers of distribution lines were installed; and training events benefited multiple institutions.

International partners such as the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) also provided financial support to fund these initiatives. In 2023, the IDB approved a $2 million grant to support the Bolivian program of increasing electricity access in rural areas.

Challenges Ahead

Key challenges remain for Bolivia’s electrification projects, including long-term sustainability and reaching areas still without power. The World Bank plans to train users on efficient and sustainable electricity use to address sustainability. While millions have already been invested in expanding the grid, difficult geography continues to limit access.

As a result, not all Bolivians are yet connected. However, the government aims for full national coverage by the end of the year. Bolivia is exploring renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to complement these efforts, particularly in rural areas where extending the grid remains economically and logistically difficult.

What’s Next?

The main goal for Bolivia is to expand electricity across the country so 100% of the population can access it. This effort helps a large portion of people living in poverty move out of it. Access to electricity brings better health care, technological advances, economic growth and improved education. Bolivia can serve as a blueprint for other developing nations facing similar challenges.

– Pablo Roque

Pablo is based in McAllen, TX, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Telemedicine in Yemen: Health Care Amid War

Telemedicine in YemenYemen is one of the world’s vulnerable countries, with a GDP per capita of just $433. Decades of conflict, including a civil war that has killed more than 300,000 since 2014, have left millions of Yemenis without necessities. Health care in particular is lacking all over Yemen. The country has a mere 0.3 physicians per capita, below the global average.

Rates of vaccination against communicable diseases hover between 40% and 50%, compared to more than 90% in Western countries. Only 50% of the country’s medical facilities are functional. It comes as no surprise, then, that 80% of Yemenis face “significant challenges” in accessing health care.

The problem is even more dire in rural areas. The scarcity of health care in Yemen has fueled major outbreaks of preventable diseases such as cholera, diphtheria and polio. These outbreaks have caused thousands of deaths and cost the Yemeni economy millions of dollars.

A Modern Solution

The enormous toll of treatable diseases in Yemen has given rise to a novel solution: telemedicine. Telemedicine is a form of low-cost health care in which physicians remotely diagnose and administer medical treatment to faraway patients. Physicians specifically utilize phone calls, text messages, online video-conferencing and other telecommunications technology to ensure their patients receive high-quality care.

Since its inception in the mid-1900s, telemedicine has proliferated—reaching millions of needy patients all over the world. In war-torn Yemen, several institutions have been using telemedicine since 1997. Leading the way are international companies, NGOs and medical associations. One example is SmartHealthTec, a Dubai-based medical equipment company that opened a branch in Yemen. The branch has recently inaugurated telemedicine platforms in the country to ensure the effective operation of its equipment “even in crisis conditions.”

Meanwhile, the international NGO Swinfen Charitable Trust has connected Yemeni doctors with medical consultants to address 85 complex cases across the country. This telemedicine approach enabled specialists to provide feedback to patients who otherwise had no access to such expertise. A 2020 study of a group of Yemeni patients and clinicians found general satisfaction with the Swinfen Charitable Trust’s telemedical consultations.

Similarly, the Eradication of Leishmaniasis [skin disease] from Yemen Project has successfully used telemedicine to reach vulnerable patients since 2013. Through WhatsApp and phone calls, Yemeni dermatologists have provided free medical recommendations to patients in different, often unreachable parts of the country. This has likely saved the lives of many patients who would have perished from skin-related conditions in a war-torn context without medical facilities.

Challenges Remain

Despite its success in reaching patients, telemedicine in Yemen still faces major limitations. Only 18% of Yemenis consistently use the Internet and just 55% have phone service. Reliable wi-fi infrastructure is also severely lacking. These barriers restrict who can access telemedicine in the first place.

Even with expanded Internet and wi-fi access, telemedicine will remain limited in scope. Severe medical conditions almost always require in-person treatment, such as surgery. Telemedicine cannot solve everything.

Telemedicine’s Potential

Regardless of its limitations, telemedicine can still strengthen health care in Yemen. Years of conflict have severely damaged the country’s physical health facilities. Yet international companies, NGOs and collaborative projects have successfully used telemedicine to reach patients in need. Its low-cost, remote nature, combined with advances in telecommunications, ensures that telemedicine will remain a vital part of Yemen’s health care system for decades to come.

– Pranav Kanmadikar

Pranav is based in Louisville, KY, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Freepik

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Telemedicine in Mexico Broadens Health Care

Telemedicine in MexicoThe health care system in Mexico is notably flawed. Only 77% of Mexico’s 131 million citizens have access to health care coverage and nearly half of the health spending in the country comes out of the pockets of citizens, not the government. Mexico only allocates 5.7% of its GDP to health care-related costs, far below the average of 9.2% from the other 38 countries that make up the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This leaves the system underfunded and underresourced, particularly in rural locations.

Telemedicine, the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients, is helping fill in the gaps of Mexico’s health care system by making medical advice more accessible to poor and rural communities throughout the country.

Bringing Health Care to Rural Mexican Communities

Founded in 2014, 19Labs aims to make health care more accessible worldwide to people in rural communities. Its GALE platform is a “smart first-aid kit” that is affordable and accessible and it brings the full clinic experience to those unable to go to one in person. The organization has helped people in Guyana, the United States and Lebanon and now it’s expanding its reach in Mexico.

Earlier this year, 19Labs launched a new branch of its telemedicine program in Yucatán, Mexico, to bring health care services to the underserved rural communities in the area. 19Labs GALE eClinics have connected people who had previously faced distance barriers to services such as medical consultations, diagnostic tools and specialist advice and treatments. Using tools such as Zoom and EchoNous, people can now access effective health care treatment from the comfort of their own communities and without the burden of extensive travel.

In less than a year, the impact and benefits of the GALE eClinics have already been seen. In Comunidad Col, a child who was previously diagnosed with a heart murmur was assessed by the GALE eClinic and appropriately diagnosed with and treated for allergic rhinitis. A 6-month-old child in Noh Bec received an accurate diagnosis and treatment from a chronic dermatitis specialist, significantly improving the child’s condition and quality of life.

Maria Magdalena Chan Uluac, Director of the Noh Bec community clinic, credited the GALE eClinics for helping the lives of those in the Yucatán area: “We are at least three hours from Mérida, where the specialists are, so GALE has been a major financial and logistical relief for our patients. This has encouraged seeking medical treatment sooner instead of waiting until symptoms become critical.”

Telemedicine for Mexicans Abroad

MiSalud is a startup that connects Mexicans working abroad to health care. MiSalud’s mission is to provide services such as basic health care, preventative care, nutrition coaching, chronic condition management and mental health support via video, phone or SMS chat. The company also does not charge its users a co-pay and has extended hours for its virtual clinic.

MiSalud primarily works with agricultural, construction, hospitality and manufacturing companies where employees struggle to access health care because of language barriers or a lack of time to make it to a clinic or hospital. Employees of these companies receive MiSalud’s resources as an employer-sponsored benefit regardless of their insurance or full-time or part-time status. The coverage also extends to up to three family members.

Taylor Farms, a major global purveyor of packaged salads and cut vegetables, is one company that partners with MiSalud. Amy Taylor, the leader of Taylor Farms’ wellness initiative, reported that about 5,600 of the company’s 6,400 employees have signed up for MiSalud’s services. More than 2,000 of these employees have utilized the resource at least once.

MiSalud says that 40% of its users have said they would have ignored their health concerns or waited until they could travel back to Mexico to see a doctor without the platform. The company also reports that its users have seen a 56% improvement in depression scores and a one-level drop in diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure risk. In addition, users experienced a 24% improvement in chronic condition management and an average weight loss of 16 pounds.

More Ways to Access Telemedicine in Mexico

MedicallHome is another company working to make health care in Mexico more affordable and accessible. It provides 24/7 telephone access to licensed doctors, costing just $2 to $5 a month. Beyond medical care, the company also offers life insurance and vision and dental coverage.

Medicall is staffed by more than 60 practitioners, nutritionists and psychologists, each with at least two years of clinical experience and required to practice outside the call center to maintain their skills. The center handles about 500,000 calls annually, resolving 62% of cases over the phone and referring the rest for in-person treatment. Customers also have access to a provider network that includes primary care and specialist clinics, laboratories, pharmacies and hospitals.

Conclusion

Telemedicine is a growing field in Mexico and with widespread smartphone adoption by Mexican citizens and improving internet access, it is expected to become more popular. As of 2024, 68% of Mexicans reported preferring video and telephone consultations due to convenience, reduced travel costs and fewer wait times than in-person clinics. Since only half of the population has consistent medical care, the growth of free and accessible telemedicine in Mexico is significant and a welcome change to the health care system.

– Hannah Fruehstorfer

Hannah is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Poverty Stoplight: Personal Agency Tool Combatting Poverty

poverty stoplightLifting oneself out of poverty alone is a nearly impossible task, but agency in the effort towards economic mobility can be a powerful tool. At the Poverty Stoplight, a Paraguay-based organization working to help families discover practical and innovative solutions in overcoming poverty, self-awareness is a key philosophy. The organization’s Stoplight tool offers a self-assessment survey and intervention model that enables people to identify their unique challenges and develop practical solutions to overcome them, giving them the chance to have personal agency in combating poverty.

“Who Owns Poverty?”

The Poverty Stoplight asks the question: “Who owns poverty?” and argues the answer can be “a new approach that puts poor families in charge of defining and diagnosing their own unique, multidimensional poverty—who by owning the problem, own the solution.” This participatory methodology takes form as a self-assessment survey that serves as a metric using 50 carefully selected poverty indicators across six dimensions to help individuals evaluate their poverty status, assess their needs and discover solutions.

The approach has garnered the organization more than 700,000 Stoplights applied throughout 59 countries and hundreds of organizations, from formerly incarcerated individuals in New Orleans to poverty policy in Ecuador. From that personal agency in combating poverty, users report finding the survey engaging, feeling empowered and gaining valuable insight and context into the poverty they face.

Poverty researchers have praised the methodology for being simplistic and people-focused, stating, “The elegance of the methodology shows us that simplification is not about chasing the perfect metric to simplify into a dashboard to be used by executives in far-away boardrooms for their benevolent decision making. It is about having a simple yet contextually appropriate way of ‘measuring what we value’ and of truly bringing people into the process.”

The Stoplight’s “red, yellow, green” indicators — with red indicating extreme poverty, yellow indicating poverty and green indicating no poverty — help individuals keep track and visualize their current poverty status as well as improving progression. In Paraguay alone, the organization has helped more than 6,000 families reach the “green” indicator and more than 27,000 families generate more income, key data that serves as an important incentive for resource allocation from stakeholders.

Green Stoplight: A New Focus on a Growing Issue

In the face of the urgent need to implement environmental action, Poverty Stoplight has also introduced a new tool for users. Again taking the approach of starting closest to home when tackling a challenge, the Green Stoplight helps individuals and families self-evaluate their environmental footprint within the scope of 10 indicators:

  • “Responsible water use”
  • “Waste separation”
  • “Recycling practices”
  • “Efficient energy use”
  • “Sustainable transportation”
  • “Plastic use reduction”
  • “Vegetable garden and composting”
  • “Garbage disposal”
  • Extreme weather patterns and environmental protection

Using the same self-assessment approach, as well as the guiding visuals of the “red, yellow, green” progress indicators, the tool again demonstrates an agency for individuals in creating environmental change the same way it gave personal agency in combating poverty.

Bringing Awareness

Moreover, the new focus brings their awareness to a particularly relevant issue as the effects of natural disasters and extreme weather continue to hit the world’s poorest people first and hardest. With projections predicting extreme weather around the world to push an additional 120 million people into poverty by 2030, the Green Stoplight is a tool for everyone, with a recent campaign targeting university students in Paraguay to take the assessment and apply it to their household and communities.

The campaign also helped create partnerships with universities and other institutions in a joint commitment to furthering sustainability through collective individual change. These partnerships also work to develop more practical solutions for identified problems that can be used as additional indicators to the current 10 and create a larger impact on an eventually global scale.

– Jannah Khalil

Jannah is based in Sacramento, CA, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr