Tackling healthcare disparities intensified by conflict and displacement is crucial for building long-term resilience and self-sufficiency among refugees. Utilizing advanced technology allows for the provision of immediate medical aid, enhancing healthcare accessibility a vital element in the broader framework of African development and stability.
U.S. messaging platform Gupshup, Meta (formerly Facebook), the Sudan Medical Specialization Board, and Shabaka, a consulting and research organization dedicated to humanitarian issues, have jointly launched a telemedicine chatbot. The initiative, announced by Gupshup on July 3, aims to deliver medical assistance to Sudanese refugees.
“We are honored to be part of this humanitarian project that aims to provide essential healthcare services to Sudanese refugees in need. By leveraging the power of conversational AI and the reach of WhatsApp, we can make a significant impact on the lives of these individuals who have faced immense challenges,” said Beerud Sheth, Founder & CEO of Gupshup.
The chatbot, accessible via WhatsApp, targets refugees in Egypt, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Djibouti, and other neighboring countries. The telemedicine service offers a secure, regulatory-compliant platform supporting Arabic and English, with additional languages planned.
According to Gupshup, the project aims to meet the urgent healthcare needs of about 800,000 Sudanese refugees with limited access to medical services. The chatbot allows patients to connect with healthcare providers, who then route them to a triage team for assessment before linking them to one of over 18 specialty doctors.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reveals that the ongoing conflict has left nearly 25 million people in Sudan in need of humanitarian assistance, with severe shortages of food, water, medicine, and fuel affecting millions. This underscores the importance of scalable, tech-driven solutions in humanitarian aid efforts to support vulnerable populations in crises effectively.
Hikmatu Bilali
