Tag Archive for: Technology

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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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Education Reform in Rwanda

Education Reform in RwandaLearning poverty, as defined by the World Bank, is the inability of a child to read and comprehend an age-appropriate text by age 10. This has been a long-standing issue across Africa, with 89% of children experiencing learning poverty throughout Eastern and Southern Africa alone, an issue that was worsened due to the pandemic. However, education reform in Rwanda has helped improve the chances of students to thrive, from creating a more inclusive space to adding training to prepare students for real-world challenges.

Reform: A Little Means a Lot

One approach to education reform in Rwanda is a targeted strategy. Educational reform is a complex process that often attempts to address multiple issues simultaneously. As a result, progress tends to happen gradually and in small increments. However, with help from Educate!, a youth employment and skill-building organization founded by Eric Glustrom and Boris Bulayev, Rwandan schools have focused their efforts on one change in the curriculum: Entrepreneurship. A mandatory class for the upper-secondary school level, Educate! focused its efforts on practical learning rather than memorization and theory.

As of May 16, 2024, the reform has reached every secondary school in Rwanda, impacting 165,000 students annually. Teachers who incorporated the curriculum change and utilized student-centered techniques saw improvement in their students’ soft skills, which are closely linked to workplace success, such as patience and perseverance. In short, narrowing the scope of reform and focusing on one change at a time might sound like a short-term plan, but its benefits can be seen in the long term.

Expansion: Accessibility Is Key to Attendance

Educational reform is an excellent start, but another problem within Rwandan schools is the overcrowding. A typical primary classroom in Rwanda held an average of 73 students. Keeping that many students in one classroom, it becomes clear that not every student will receive the necessary attention they deserve to succeed.

However, thanks to a team-up with the World Bank, Rwanda has added more than 22,500 new classrooms across the country, decreasing the average from 73 students per class to 49. Another bonus of the expansion efforts is that an additional 68,000 students between the ages of 5 and 14 can now access school within a two-kilometer radius, which significantly aids their attendance and energy to learn.

Inclusivity: No Child Will Be Left Behind

Another important step in improving Rwanda’s education has been to sustain a more inclusive environment. This includes adding wheelchair ramps to the newly added schools and gender-segregated bathrooms, which gives students easier access to sanitation and a safe school environment.

In addition to physical changes within the school, Rwanda is also taking measures to introduce early identification of disabilities among students so that they can get the help they need. The Global Partnership for Education has helped Rwanda digitalize educational content and support technology‑based teaching, improving children’s reading and pronunciation skills.

Conclusion

Education reform in Rwanda has come a long way in the past couple of years. Efforts to improve education across Africa have had their fair share of successes and setbacks. However, with the help of global organizations, Rwanda is seeing incredible improvement in keeping up with an ever-evolving environment.

– Matthew Perduk

Matthew is based in Chantilly, VA, USA and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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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

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WhatsApp Tutors in Lebanon Are Educating Refugee Children

WhatsApp Tutors in LebanonIn Lebanon, Syrian refugee children often face unreliable internet and little access to formal education due to the conflict that recently happened in the area. Early this year, after a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon, much of the infrastructure remains in ruins. As a result, the region’s education suffered a large toll and it lost opportunities. However, a small but mighty resolution began with an unexpected platform: WhatsApp.

The Problem in Lebanon

Education is highly dependent on the infrastructure it lies on. Proper facilities, strong internet and a safe region determine the quality of education. However, in Lebanon, many children, especially those affected by the recent conflict, are facing a lack of access due to overcrowding, cost and legal barriers.

The lack of a strong digital infrastructure primarily explains this, underscoring the importance of education facilities. Regarding Lebanon’s education sector, the system has faced multiple issues, from the refugee influx to a significant port explosion and the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, public education opportunities began to dwindle as the infrastructure started to collapse. This is where WhatsApp tutors in Lebanon began to change the picture.

WhatsApp Tutors in Lebanon Comes to the Rescue

When the state cannot provide education, WhatsApp tutors in Lebanon rise to the challenge by creating virtual classrooms. On WhatsApp, peer tutors share voice notes containing lessons on various subjects, including math and science.

In the absence of physical classrooms, teachers and tutors use WhatsApp to distribute assignments and collect submissions. A nonprofit called Jusoor has started providing $25 grants to refugee families to help them afford phones and data packages, enabling their participation in virtual education.

To save data and prevent potential outages, educators conducted lessons through chat and audio, which created a community where students began to support other students. To save data and avoid potential outages, educators delivered lessons through chat and audio, fostering a community where students began supporting one another.

The biggest life-saver for many families was that WhatsApp only requires a smartphone. Many other online platforms require a computer or other expensive hardware. WhatsApp allowed tutors in Lebanon to reach more students simply through mobile access.

The Digital Future

Research has found that conducting education through online platforms such as WhatsApp is not as effective as the physical classroom. However, in Lebanon, it is important to understand that WhatsApp and other similar platforms are the only opportunities many kids have.

Learning does not require a building or sophisticated technology. In areas devastated by war and conflict, such as Lebanon, tutors are creating makeshift classrooms using only mobile phones, chat messages and voice notes.

Despite limited resources and unstable conditions, they built a space where education continues, proving that determination and creativity can overcome even the harshest barriers to learning.

– Kallen Zhou

Kallen is based in Hattiesburg, MS, USA and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Modernizing Agriculture in Kenya: Technology and Tools

Agriculture in KenyaKenya, a country in East Africa with a population exceeding 50 million, relies heavily on its agriculture sector for economic stability. The agriculture sector in Kenya employs more than 70% of rural citizens. It is responsible for 33% of the country’s GDP, with an additional 27% through connections with other sectors.

While Kenya remains heavily reliant on its farmland, the population is growing rapidly. It is predicted to hit 81 million by 2039. The increasing population has caused farmers to relocate to make room for new residents. As a result, many farmers have moved to less ideal farmland, facing various climate challenges.

Challenges Facing Kenya’s Agriculture Sector

Most regions within Kenya are arid, with 80% of the country’s climate ranging between arid and semi-arid. The nation has been experiencing intense droughts followed by torrential rain for nearly a decade. This has caused a strain on many rural farming communities, as 95% of their crops rely on rainfall for adequate production. In March 2025, an estimated 2.2 million Kenyans experienced food insecurity, while more recent predictions in June 2025 approximate the number to be closer to 2.8 million.

Due to the rising population and food insecurity rates, integrating technology tools and new scientific developments for agriculture in Kenya can be key to ensuring an adequate food supply. This could benefit those in Kenya and other countries plagued by food insecurity. Agricultural technology in Kenya involves a wide array of approaches, ranging from digital services to climate-smart farming techniques advanced by science. These tools address many common agricultural concerns in Kenya, including climate-related struggles, product yields and overall knowledge of farmland and crops.

Digital Services and Platforms

In partnership with the World Bank, Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture implemented the Kenya Climate-Smart Agriculture Project and the National Agriculture & Rural Inclusive Growth Project. These gave Kenyan farmers access to various online support services in hopes of increasing production and profit. In addition, the collaboration led to the development of the Big Data Platform and the Kenya Agricultural Observatory Platform (KAOP). The Ministry also introduced the One Million Farmer Platform, which fostered collaboration between 24 AgTech startups and 27 county governments, connecting 1.1 million farmers.

The platforms have been vital in sharing high-resolution geospatial data with farmers and employees within the agriculture sector. These tools work by assessing specific coordinates to a location and delivering information about the geography, which has helped optimize land usage. The online services also provide advice to farmers tailored to their specific needs, such as seed and fertilizer suggestions. In addition to geographic data, the KAOP is notable for its weather forecast accuracy. The platform uses satellite-based information and shares weather advisories and patterns with the public via online messaging. This has allowed farmers to better prepare their farmland for inconstant weather events like heavy rain.

A popular app in Kenya tailored to smallholder farmers is iCow. The service works by utilizing SMS to better inform farmers on how to care for livestock, for example, providing information on disease management. In addition to SMS, iCow provides search engines to help farmers find experts nearby and also shares an online database full of information ranging from crops and soils to climate instability. Currently, 1.6 million individuals in Kenya utilize iCow and the service has sent more than 110 million messages to farmers.

Climate-Smart Farming

The joint effort between scientists at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) and the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT introduced a new bean for farmers in Kenya. Nyota beans are genetically modified to thrive in droughts and grow within shorter periods. Farmers who have grown Nyota beans have reported increased crop yields and profits. In Kenya, the bean consumption rate outweighs the bean production rate by 155,000 metric tons. However, the Nyota bean could decrease the deficit in the coming years.

New developments have allowed scientists to detect nutrient, water and carbon levels throughout Kenya to determine the most efficient technique for planting and growing crops in a certain area. They also observe the best soil and watering techniques in regions with frequent drought and water scarcity. Scientists share the information with farmers through hundreds of “farmer field schools” administered by KALRO. The farmers who used the farming techniques reported a crop yield increase of 20% and a 20% decrease in fertilizer use.

Conclusion

With shifting climate patterns and a growing population facing food insecurity, Kenya’s agricultural sector faces mounting pressure. In response, integrating modern technologies has become a significant step forward. From digital platforms that deliver localized weather forecasts and farming guidance to climate-smart innovations, modern technologies are addressing many of the top concerns of individuals living in Kenya. The success of these initiatives emphasizes the growing potential of agriculture technology and sustained investment and collaboration are crucial to expanding these accomplishments.

– Grace Johnson

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

Photo: Freepik

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Rwanda CHWs Child Survival: Volunteers Reduce Child Deaths

Rwanda CHWs child survivalRwanda’s community health worker model, widely known as “Rwanda CHWs child survival,” drove the nation’s under-5 mortality rate to plummet from 158 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to about 40 in 2023, a drop exceeding three-quarters. That feat makes Rwanda one of only four low-income nations to clear the 75 % benchmark since 2000.

Life-Saving Trios in Every Village

At the core of Rwanda’s child survival strategy is a network of about 45,000 CHWs, three elected volunteers in each of the country’s nearly 15,000 villages. The “binôme,” a male-female CHW pair, treats common childhood illnesses such as malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia, diseases that pose serious risks to young children. Meanwhile, a female maternal health worker monitors every pregnancy from the first trimester to postpartum.

Most recruits complete about three months of intensive classroom and hands-on instruction in integrated community case management, maternal-newborn care, nutrition counseling and family-planning services. They must score at least 80 % on a post-course exam before being certified; brief refresher modules update drug protocols and data-reporting skills each year.

Cash for Results Keeps Quality High

Since 2009, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health has operated a community performance-based financing (cPBF) scheme that sends group bonuses directly to legally registered CHW cooperatives. These quarterly bonuses, wired through the Ministry of Economy and Finance, are released only after each group meets specific maternal and child health targets.

Under the original split, 30% of every payment went to individual workers and 70% stayed in the co-op account to build capital. Co-ops invest that reserve in income ventures and about 52.7% choose livestock projects such as dairy goat or poultry sheds. In contrast, others buy bicycles, maize mills, or seeds for micro-loan funds.

Profits boost household income and keep attrition low, while the promise of the next bonus keeps each village team laser-focused on service coverage and timely referrals.

RapidSMS: A Text That Saves a Life

A 2018 nationwide evaluation reported that Rwanda’s CHWs fired 9.3 million RapidSMS messages between 2012 and 2016, flagging births, danger signs and supply gaps in real-time. Those real-time alerts let supervisors dispatch antibiotics, restock bed nets and organize ambulances faster, raising antenatal care, facility delivery and post-natal rates in the districts studied.

Scaling Up Again

Rwanda is digitizing its frontline workforce by formulating an electronic Community Health Information System (eCHIS). It was built in 2023 and a pilot has already helped train 600 community health workers across three districts to capture visits on a smartphone app.

Also, on May 30, 2025, Rwanda’s Health Ministry rolled out a new AI-powered mobile platform to train and support all 58,567 CHWs on their smartphones, replacing costly face-to-face workshops. The system links each visit to the community electronic medical records (cEMR) database so supervisors can track patient trends and drug stocks in real-time.

Conclusion

Rwanda’s experience proves that community trust, modest pay for performance and real-time data can significantly reduce child deaths. Health ministries that are struggling with high under-5 mortality now have hope to combat it, especially with the Rwanda CHWs child survival model.

– Arabella D’Aniello

Arabella is based in The Hague, Netherlands and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Ghana’s Tech Innovation in Education

Ghana’s Tech Innovation in EducationGhana has embarked on a transformative journey to digitize its education system in recent years. Ghana’s shift aims to improve tech innovation in education and learning outcomes, bridge educational disparities and equip students for a technology-driven global economy. While significant progress has been made, challenges persist, particularly in ensuring equitable access across urban and rural communities.

Background

As Ghana works toward this next chapter of future learning, it is essential to note that the digitalization of education is a global reform trend. As Olga N. Machekhina describes in Revista Espacios, it is a powerful force for modernizing educational systems. Ghana has embraced this wave through various national strategies. The Education Strategic Plan (2018–2030) and the ICT in Education Policy Framework (2015) illustrate this commitment, emphasizing teacher training, curriculum reform and early school ICT exposure.

A notable step came in 2023 to include tech innovation in education with the launch of the ICT Competency Framework for Teachers. Developed by the Ministry of Education, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) and other stakeholders, this framework supports educators in integrating technology effectively into their teaching practices. Higher education institutions like the University of Cape Coast also support digitalization through platforms such as Moodle, streamlining learning for students and lecturers.

Government Initiatives

The National Digital Literacy Program, launched in 2013, seeks to train 10 million Ghanaians in digital skills by 2030. It focuses on equipping individuals with essential digital skills to participate effectively in the digital economy. Furthermore, in 2015, Ghana released its ICT in Education Policy Framework, emphasizing teacher training in digital skills and introducing ICT as a topic beginning in primary school. The policy sought to transform the educational system to improve the quality of teaching and learning at the various levels of education and expand access to education, training and research resources and facilities to produce a cutting-edge and skilled workforce for the growth of the country’s economy.

The government’s efforts intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic through platforms like Ghana Learning TV and iCampus. Despite good intentions, accessibility remained a significant issue. Key findings from a report titled “Ghana’s E-Learning Program During the Pandemic Presents Access Challenges for Many Students” highlight significant barriers to digital learning. Fewer than three in 10 Ghanaian households (28%) own a computer, with access even lower among rural and low-income families, only about one in seven (14%).

While 71% of households nationwide have reliable electricity from the national grid, this figure drops to 59% in rural areas and 55% among impoverished households. An additional 5% of households rely on alternative electricity sources such as solar panels, batteries or generators. In response, in 2024, Ghana launched the Smart Schools Project to distribute 1.3 million free tablets to high school students nationwide. The initiative began with 15 schools and reflects the government’s ongoing push toward digital inclusivity.

Grassroots Innovation: Lemvon’s Story

However, government programs are not the only drivers of change. An 18-year-old developer, Lemuel Grigsby, created Lemvon, a school management system that uses AI to personalize learning. In an interview with The Borgen Project, Grigsby shared that he turned to app development to heal after losing his older brother in 2020. Grigsby, motivated by his educational struggles, developed a comprehensive platform that manages everything from exam records to fee processing.

His AI-powered Learning Management System (ALM) adapts to each student’s pace, learning style and language. He also notes that the system allows parents to track their children’s academic performance and attendance. In partnership with the Ghana Association of Private Schools, Lemvon is now available through a 92-day free trial, allowing schools to evaluate its impact. Grigsby hopes these free trials will produce strong results and expand to rural communities.

Other Nonprofits Bridging the Gap

Other startups and nonprofits are contributing significantly to Ghana’s tech innovation in education. Street Library Ghana is a volunteer-driven social enterprise that provides library services in rural communities through mobile vans, book kiosks and digital access. It aims to improve literacy and education among children and youth in underserved areas.

The Ghana Code Club is an after-school program teaching children computer programming skills. Since its inception, it has trained more than 100,000 students, 3,5,00 teachers and several computer centers in Ghana.

Challenges in Digital Education

Despite these positive developments, gaps remain. According to the Ghana Living Standards Survey (2020), only 39.7% of Ghanaians had internet awareness, with a stark urban-rural divide (51.6% vs. 27.4%). Africa Education Watch (2024) reports that just 15% of public primary schools and 13% of junior high schools had functioning ICT labs by the end of the 2022/2023 academic year.

Infrastructure challenges are acute. Although national electricity coverage exceeds 80%, only 44% of primary schools and 63.9% of junior high schools had access to electricity as of 2020. Teacher preparedness is another hurdle: only 53% have received ICT training and 22% of students have basic ICT skills. According to Grigsby: “These issues not only create barriers but impede results for startups like Lemvon and others trying to help.”

Conclusion

Both national strategies and youth-led innovation are powering Ghana’s tech innovation in education. From free tablets to AI-driven learning platforms, the landscape is evolving. However, systemic issues like poor infrastructure, teacher training gaps and data literacy have to be addressed to ensure lasting impact.

Dr. Peter Anti of the Institute of Education Studies noted, “Instead of focusing on unnecessary projects in Accra, we need to address the actual issues in schools where the data shows there are urgent needs.” Grigsby echoes that sentiment: “The fact that we continue to face these basic issues is a sign that our policies have been poorly planned and targeted. We must use data more effectively to direct our efforts and solve the problems head-on.”

– Dela Michel 

Dela is based in Rockville, MD, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Radio and Public Health in Africa: Still a Critical Voice

radio and public health in africaInformation is power—especially when it comes to health. The problem is that reliable information is not always easy to come by. For example, as of 2024, internet penetration in Uganda is 27%. The main source of information for Ugandans is radio at 38%, including word of mouth at 21%, phone calls at 15% and television at 14%. When health concerns arise, the internet connects experts with new findings and patients with treatment paths—but it is not the only technology leading to healthy outcomes. As pandemics, stigma and misinformation continue to affect the global population, communities are shaping public health in Africa with the proven power of radio.

Engagement between Health Care Workers and the Public

Research in the medical field is always evolving, bringing new information to light surrounding important issues. Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Trust designed a participatory radio program Umoyo Nkukambirana or “Let’s Talk About Health,” which hosted medical researchers, presenting health topics and current research in Chichewa—the local language.

The radio would advertise the program in advance, encouraging listeners to raise questions via SMS text and local radio listening clubs with the researchers responding. Indeed, topics ranged from diabetes to vaccines, with roughly 500 citizens sending in questions, primarily from rural areas.

By creating a conversation and opening the floor to citizens without alternative access to information, engagement increased, and education followed.

Radio and Public Health in Africa during COVID-19

Throughout the pandemic, community radios played a pivotal role in the spread of life-saving information. Koch FM from Kenya broadcasted public health advice along with songs advising people on preventative measures; Radio Dondo in Mozambique hosted debates, interviews, and reports on the ongoing crisis; and Argoba Community Radio in Ethiopia contributed to the fight against misinformation as it spread from social media channels.

Various global organizations noticed these actions, with UNESCO, the EU and the African Center for Disease Control partnering in 2022 to offer a program to four African regions and their community radio journalists. The program focused on research and presentation processes in journalism, with UNESCO stressing “the unique power of the radio in reaching the grassroot communities with the right information.”

Fighting Ebola Misinformation

Even as technologies improve across developing countries, radio can be seen as a well of historic information. In Uganda, AI is using this information to gain insight into public opinion and misinformation. In 2022, when the country declared an Ebola outbreak, polarizing discourse and misinformation followed. To learn about how public sentiment was being shaped, Jonathan Mukiibi at Makerere University developed a program that transcribed recordings from community radio shows, then analyzed them for data points. He sought to add the voices of those who did not have access to the internet. In a country where political parties are often viewed with distrust, many of the country’s inhabitants believed that the declared Ebola outbreak was just a political move to undermine the recently elected party. With the help of Mukiibi’s new program, policymakers could make better decisions in current and future outbreaks.

In an age increasingly defined by smartphones and the internet, the threads weaved between radio and public health in Africa continue to connect people effectively. This decades-old technology serves as a sturdy platform and a wellspring of data. When it comes to the health of the people, it does not matter how the information is getting out; it just matters that people receive it.

– Levi Ravnsborg

Levi is based in Summerland, BC, Canada and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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5 Ways M-TIBA Kenya Transforms Health Care

5 Ways M-TIBA Kenya Transforms Health Care for Low-Income Communities In Kenya, high out-of-pocket costs and limited insurance coverage continue to make health care unaffordable for millions. But a mobile platform called M-TIBA is changing that by helping users save, manage and spend health funds directly from their phones. Through partnerships with government programs, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and local providers, M-TIBA Kenya has become a model for digital health financing in lower-income settings. 

5 Ways M-TIBA Kenya Transforms Health Care

  1. Mobile Health Wallet for Everyday Use. The development of M-TIBA happened through a partnership between Safaricom, CarePay and the PharmAccess Foundation. It functions as a mobile health wallet, allowing users to save funds specifically for medical expenses. Accessible through even basic mobile phones, the platform helps individuals make payments at nearly 5,000 health care providers, hospitals and pharmacies across Kenya. Users can receive funds from relatives, employers or NGOs and use them to pay for consultations, tests, prescriptions or treatment. The wallet ensures transparency and prevents misuse by restricting the funds for health care only.
  2. Widening Reach Through Public Programs. The Kenyan government and the National Health Insurance Fund have integrated M-TIBA into local health initiatives. In Kisumu County, a pilot program helped more than 270,000 households enroll in community-based health coverage, providing access to maternal care, immunizations and chronic disease management. By digitizing enrollment and payment systems, the platform improves efficiency and reduces paperwork for both patients and clinics. These programs often include subsidies deposited directly into M-TIBA wallets, removing financial barriers to care.
  3. Community Support from NGOs. Organizations like Amref Health Africa have played a critical role in making M-TIBA accessible to underserved populations. Amref supports the initiative by training community health workers to teach families how to use the platform. They also run awareness campaigns to promote health savings and encourage regular medical visits. In areas where digital literacy is low, NGOs have helped distribute phones to trained volunteers, who assist residents with registration, deposits and navigation of health services.
  4. Faster Claims and Transparent Spending. In 2024 and early 2025, M‑TIBA introduced AI-driven processes for claims review and approvals. As of April 2024, the system began auto-processing 40% of claims, cutting approval times to less than 12 hours. By September 2024, approval times dropped by 95% due to automation and real-time analytics. As of February 2025, industry leaders gathered at the Digital Pulse CEO Roundtable in Nairobi acknowledged that AI integration shortened payment cycles by up to 95% and reduced health care costs by as much as 15%.
  5. Building Toward Universal Health Coverage. With more than 4.8 million users, M-TIBA has become a key part of Kenya’s progress toward universal health care. While challenges remain—especially in remote areas lacking mobile coverage or financial access—the platform continues to expand. 

Looking Ahead

M-TIBA Kenya demonstrates how mobile technology, when supported by government and nonprofit partners, can bridge gaps in health access. Furthermore, it can empower individuals to manage their own care. The continued rollout of AI, combined with strong public‑private‑community partnerships, positions M‑TIBA as a key player in Kenya’s push for universal health coverage. The scaling of digital health wallets offers a replicable model for other lower‑income countries seeking to close care gaps and empower individuals to manage their health funds effectively.

– 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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Fighting Diseases in Mozambique With an App

Diseases in MozambiqueMozambique, a country in southeastern Africa, has implemented a new digital system and app that helps community health workers in poor and rural areas fight diseases.

Community Health Workers in Mozambique

To ensure access to health care for everyone in the country, community health workers serve Mozambique’s more rural and impoverished areas. Community health workers diagnose and treat many diseases in Mozambique, including malaria, pneumonia, malnutrition and diarrhea.

They also provide family planning services, antenatal care, postpartum care and pregnancy tracking. Further, they give healthy children check-ups and follow-up care for patients with tuberculosis and HIV.

What is upSCALE?

upSCALE consists of two different applications. One is an app for supervisors of community health workers. The app allows them to monitor health care workers’ performance and monitor the stock levels of medical and health care supplies. It also allows them to schedule and follow up on supervisory visits.

The second application is designed for community health workers themselves. It features the Mozambique Ministry of Health’s official curriculum. It guides users through treatment, diagnosis, patient referrals, follow-ups, registration and routine health checks.

The program provides community health workers with mobile phones and supervisors with tablets to access the apps. Community health workers receive an initial five-day training on using the app, followed by a two-day refresher each year. Supervisors receive additional training tailored to their role. Between 2017 and 2022, the upSCALE app registered approximately 650,000 patients and supported health care services for more than 200,000.

How upSCALE Helps Fight Diseases in Mozambique

The app was originally developed to improve the quality and coverage of local health care. It aims to address community health workers’ inconsistent adherence to clinical guidelines and the inadequate supply of medications and health supplies. The app has largely been successful in both of these goals. By allowing supervisors to monitor the real-time stock of medication and health supplies, they can ensure that the stock never runs out.

Both apps have also helped the Ministry of Health fight diseases in Mozambique by giving the sector accurate and up-to-date information about the spread of diseases in the country. The information is also disease-specific, allowing the government to make informed decisions about community health interventions.

On a local level, the information enables supervisors to target their interventions and allocate resources more effectively. It has also been valuable for malaria treatment, helping to fill key knowledge gaps in malaria research.

Conclusion

The upSCALE app has proven to be a game-changer in Mozambique’s fight against disease. The country has strengthened health care delivery in underserved areas by equipping community health workers and their supervisors with essential digital tools. With improved adherence to clinical guidelines, real-time data sharing and better resource allocation, upSCALE saves lives and shapes the future of public health in Mozambique.

– Axtin Bullock

Axtin is based in Georgetown, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash