To provide healthcare access to populations in remote areas of Africa, Abakar Mahamat has launched an e-health solution supported by various institutions, including Chad’s Ministry of Health and the World Bank.

Telemedan is an e-health solution developed by a Chadian startup. It aims to improve access to healthcare in the country’s remote and underserved regions. Founded in 2021 by Abakar Mahamat, the N’Djamena-based company has gained support from several institutions, including the Ministry of Health, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the World Bank.

The healthtech company deploys solar-powered telemedicine kiosks equipped with diagnostic tools such as electrocardiograms (ECG), stethoscopes, oximeters, and ultrasound probes. These allow patients in rural areas to benefit from remote consultations with healthcare professionals in better-equipped regions.

“Our goal is to make healthcare affordable, accessible, and scalable, ensuring that no one is left behind, especially in areas with limited infrastructure,” Abakar Mahamat told Disrupt Africa.

To access care, patients use the solution’s mobile app, available on iOS and Android. The startup has also introduced a USSD code for people without internet access. Notably, Chad’s internet penetration rate stood at 22.5% in January 2024, according to DataReportal.

Since its launch, Telemedan has served more than 2,000 users and conducted nearly 10,000 consultations. The company plans to expand its operations to other sub-Saharan African countries, aiming to deploy 100 kiosks and reach 1 million people over the next three years, according to Abakar Mahamat.

By Adoni Conrad Quenum,

Editing by Feriol Bewa