Leveraging Technology to Address Primary Health Care Gaps in Africa

Highlights

•  Improving basic health care in Africa is vital to meet SDGs and ensure no one falls behind

•  Scaling PHC advances in Africa is challenging, particularly in rural areas

Amref Health Africa is leveraging mobile health (mHealth) technology to address healthcare challenges and provide African policymakers with a pathway to building stronger, more accessible health systems across the continent.

Using mHealth to empower community health workers in Kenya

In Kenya, Amref has developed the M-JALI mobile application to strengthen the public health system. Launched in 2016, M-JALI enables Community Health Workers (CHWs) to register families, update data monthly, and connect patients to necessary healthcare providers. With nearly 3,900 CHWs trained, reporting times have improved from quarterly to nearly real-time. Integrated with DHIS2, this system provides government stakeholders with reliable data for timely resource allocation. Partnerships with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, Safaricom, and the Global Fund have enhanced data accuracy, training, service delivery, and health intervention monitoring.

Telemedicine Expands Specialist Access in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, telemedicine is bridging the rural-urban healthcare gap. Amref, working with the Ethiopian government, WHO, and ITU, has introduced telemedicine centres equipped with high-speed internet and video conferencing in rural health facilities. These centres enable local health workers to consult specialists in urban hospitals, minimising the need for lengthy, costly trips. Key benefits include increased access to specialist care for remote patients, financial savings, and knowledge sharing with rural health staff.

Using mHealth to Improve Health Worker Training in Uganda

In Uganda, Amref has introduced Jibu, a digital health training platform that provides continuous education for healthcare workers. Jibu offers flexible learning via mobile devices, ensuring that health professionals can stay updated and certified, strengthening Uganda’s public health workforce and improving patient care.

The Lucy mobile application, available in both English and Kiswahili, aims to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Kenya and Ethiopia. The app equips community health promoters with essential training in pregnancy and newborn care while providing weekly health updates to pregnant women and new mothers. Lucy has reached over 12,000 women and trained nearly 600 health workers in its first year, enhancing prenatal care access, improving health tracking, and empowering rural women with critical health information.

Promoting Primary Health Care through Strategic Investment and Collaboration

Amref’s technology-driven solutions demonstrate the potential for digital innovation in primary healthcare across Africa. However, challenges such as limited internet connectivity, unreliable electricity, and high infrastructure costs limit the scalability of these solutions. Ensuring data privacy and security is essential as digital health systems expand. Overcoming these challenges will require investment in digital infrastructure, especially in underserved rural areas, along with collaborations involving private sector entities, NGOs, and local communities. Expanding internet access, educating healthcare workers on digital literacy, and encouraging evidence-based, collaborative solutions will be crucial.

With continued innovation and support, technology can transform healthcare delivery across Africa, fostering a more resilient, accessible, and equitable healthcare system. By embracing these solutions, African nations can move closer to achieving universal health coverage tailored to local needs.