A hub-and-spoke telemedicine company named Chil Femtech Center is launching a revolutionary online program that could potentially save millions from deadly infections and diseases. The Chil Group connects rural health clinics and impoverished communities to scarce resources, such as specialized doctors, modern laboratories and pharmaceuticals, all within the E-Hygiene Shop. While the service is a first of its kind, the online platform will significantly improve the hygienic standards in health facilities across Africa. 

Africa’s Health Challenges

Finding decent health care is a continuous struggle for those in Africa due to underfunded national health systems, a lack of basic infrastructure to provide essential resources such as clean water or electricity and a shortage of equipped health care workers. The Ebola epidemic exposed the flawed health status in Africa, and the recent statistics paint a grim picture. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Africa is responsible for “the global burden of diseases but has access to only 3% of health workers and less than 1% of the world’s financial resources.”

This recent initiative for more accessible health care stems from the WHO’s alarming statistics report, exposing that half of the world’s health facilities lack basic hygiene essentials. Without clean water, antibacterial soap and alcohol-based cleaning stations within hospitals or bathrooms, the number of infected individuals will only increase. According to the WHO, “Around 3.85 billion people use these facilities, putting them at greater risk of infection, including 688 million people who receive care at facilities with no hygiene services at all.”

E-Hygiene Shop

The E-Hygiene Shop will follow an E-pharmacy model offering various medically approved hygiene products from global brands. The program is currently being tested in school sickbays but has plans to expand all across Africa. The initiative also includes a flexible “buy now, pay later” option, allowing health facilities to upgrade their hygienic standards without increasing costs. The program’s primary goals include delivering health, cleaning and janitorial supplies at an affordable price while carrying significant stock and working directly with African, U.K. and USA-based hygiene product manufacturers. To reach the inaccessible population in the Middle East & Africa, secure medical services through the center’s network of spokes communicate to its hubs using their artificial intelligence chatbot connected to compatible telemedicine devices.

Dr. Shamim Nabuuma, the co-founder and CEO of Chil Femtech Center, emphasized the urgency of this matter, stating, “It is unacceptable for a patient to walk into a health facility for treatment, only to contract an additional ailment due to inadequate hygiene standards. Our E-Hygiene Shop is a bold step towards ensuring patients receive care in infection-free environments, which is pivotal for their complete Recovery.” She created the program strictly to fight back against breast cancer using e-oncology services guided by AI and drone-powered transportation of cervical cancer specimens from remote rural villages to laboratories.

Progress for the Future

The launch of the Chil Femtech Center’s new E-Hygiene Shop marks a significant stride toward enhancing health and well-being across Africa. This action is consistent with the center’s steady dedication to providing partner health care facilities with the necessary equipment to meet the requirements of prestigious health care facilities within urban areas. By providing easy access to essential hygiene products and fostering awareness about the importance of global health, this initiative can uplift communities and improve the continent’s health status. The integration of technology not only facilitates convenience but also signifies a progressive approach toward addressing health care challenges.

– Samantha J. Rentfro
Photo: Flickr