“Telemedan changed how my family accessed healthcare services,” Ache told Al Jazeera. “It was difficult before, as it involved me saving money to travel just to see a doctor. Now I’m able to do it on time with fewer costs from where I am. It has also enhanced my economic status.”

Telemedicine as a Solution to Distance and Infrastructure Gaps

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 problem wasn’t only the lack of doctors,” he said. “It was also the distance between those doctors and the communities that needed them.” In 2021, he launched Telemedan, a telemedicine initiative designed to bring consultations closer to communities where electricity, internet access and medical infrastructure are limited.

“Instead of asking people to travel hundreds of kilometres to find a doctor, I wanted to use technology to bring the doctor closer to them,” Abakar told Al Jazeera.

Solar-Powered Kiosks Enable Remote Consultations

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.

Community Impact and Future Potential

Users like Ache have reported tangible improvements in their ability to access care. Before, traveling to see a doctor required saving money and time. Now, consultations happen locally, with fewer costs. “It has also enhanced my economic status,” Ache said.

Telemedan is an example of how creative solutions can address long-standing infrastructure and access challenges. As the initiative expands, it may serve as a model for other rural areas with limited resources.