Bitkine, Chad – For Ache Kodo, seeing a doctor once meant saving money for the journey. Living in Bitkine, in central Chad, she said a medical visit could mean paying for transport, the consultation and other costs of travelling to a larger town. Now, she can consult a doctor remotely through a Telemedan kiosk closer to home.
Now I’m able to do it on time with fewer costs from where I am. It has also enhanced my economic status.” For people in rural Chad, distance can be as much of a barrier to healthcare as the shortage of doctors themselves. Medical facilities and specialists are concentrated in larger towns and cities, leaving many communities far from basic services.
Abakar Mahamat grew up with that reality. The kiosks run on solar panels and batteries, allowing them to operate without reliable grid electricity. A local operator registers the patient and takes basic measurements using equipment including blood-pressure monitors, glucometers, thermometers, pulse oximeters and electrocardiogram (ECG) machines.
The doctor joins remotely, appearing on a screen as the operator assists with the examination. Telemedan says its kiosks can also be equipped with diagnostic tools including stethoscopes, temperature sensors and, in some cases, ultrasound equipment. A trained local operator helps patients use them.
The system is designed for places where internet access may be unreliable. Patient information can be stored locally and synchronised when connectivity returns. An Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) service allows people without internet access to book appointments and access health information.
Depending on the location, the kiosks can connect through mobile networks or satellite links. Abakar said some journeys for medical care can cost $200 or more once transport, accommodation, logistics and medical consultations are included. Telemedan consultations cost between $2 and $15, depending on the service.
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