How Anambra Is Transforming Primary Healthcare Through Telemedicine

The Boresha afya ya mama na mtoto (improve the health of mother and child) program works to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates by connecting mothers with community health volunteers. These volunteers provide important education on topics like antenatal care and also help to increase access to immunization services. When the group formed in 2018, 531 women died during childbirth or pregnancy, but as of 2023, that number has dropped to 344 thanks to the program’s initiatives.

Led by a local doctor and supported by Pfizer's Accord initiative and other partners, Rwanda launched a one-month training fellowship to train local doctors with specialized rheumatology skills. Since its implementation in February 2024, more than 1,800 patients have received rheumatological care, many for the first time in their lives.

RestoringVision addresses the global shortage of reading glasses by tackling supply and demand challenges. On the demand side, they partner with local NGOs and governments to provide vision screenings and free initial glasses, particularly for those in regions who either don’t know reading glasses are an option or don’t realize they’re losing their vision. On the supply side, they work to build retail networks and educate employers about productivity benefits, as workers receiving glasses show productivity increases up to 32%.

Boat clinics provide free mobile health care to those living in remote islands who typically struggle to access medical care. The clinics provide access to medicine, minor surgeries and testing and even set up camps off the boat in school buildings to make it easier for elderly locals to access care.

In 2020, Nigeria's Rural Electrification Agency installed a 50-kilowatt solar-hybrid system at Gombe State Specialist Hospital, providing uninterrupted electricity to critical units, including the ICU and emergency departments. Since its installation, maternal mortality dropped from 15-20 deaths monthly to 1-2 per month, and neonatal deaths also decreased from 50 to 20-25 monthly. The system has also helped healthcare workers perform life-saving surgeries without interruption, as these surgeries were often delayed or impossible due to power outages.

Helpster Charity operates a tech-enabled emergency financing model that connects families facing urgent medical bills with donors through a website and app. The nonprofit uses volunteers stationed at partner health facilities to identify patients who can’t afford critical care for conditions like malaria, sickle cell anemia, and kidney problems. The organization has helped provide treatment for over 2,000 families across Nigeria, Kenya and Bangladesh.

Missouri's Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) pilot program is reimagining how rural hospitals serve communities by addressing social determinants of health. The program uses Medicaid waivers and a digital platform called Unite Us to coordinate referrals between hospitals and community organizations for non-medical needs like home repairs, utility assistance, and food security. In its first 18 months, the program generated nearly 3,000 referrals. The closed-loop referral system allows hospitals to track whether patients actually receive help, something that was impossible before.

Eight Medical is a technology-driven emergency medical service that uses real-time communication systems to deliver ambulance services within 10 minutes or less. The service has 45 control center staff, over 400 field personnel, and over 25 ambulances, and operates under a “care now, pay later” scheme, making emergency healthcare more affordable. Since launching, it has received over 15,000 calls and saved about 8,000 lives by providing fast, life-saving care.

The Anambra state government’s Antenatal and Delivery Program mandates government-owned hospitals and Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) to offer free antenatal care and delivery services, to close the gap in care and curb maternal mortality rates. The program has helped strengthen the maternal care capacity at 329 PHCs throughout the state and has served over 60,000 women.

The leprosarium, run by the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), provides free treatment, shelter, and support to those ostracized due to their leprosy diagnosis. Since forming, ECWA has helped 1,000 patients overcome the disease.