In rural Chad, solar kiosks bring healthcare closer

What the report says

In rural Chad, solar-powered telemedicine kiosks are helping people get medical advice without making long and costly trips to larger towns. Al Jazeera reports from Bitkine, in central Chad, where residents can now consult doctors remotely through Telemedan kiosks rather than travel for hours to reach a clinic. The service is meant to address both the shortage of doctors and the lack of electricity and internet access in many communities.

Telemedan, founded in 2021 by Abakar Mahamat, uses solar panels and batteries to run kiosks staffed by local operators. Patients are registered on site, basic checks are taken with medical devices, and doctors join remotely on a screen. The system can also store data locally when connectivity is poor and uses phone-based booking tools for people without internet access. Telemedan says consultations are far cheaper than some journeys for care, which can include transport, lodging and other expenses.

According to the report, the network has grown to 37 kiosks across 11 provinces and has reached an estimated 143,000 people, with support from grants and public-sector partners including Chad’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention. The article notes that the kiosks can help with routine consultations and some screenings, but they cannot replace hospitals, emergency care or specialist treatment.

The broader context is Chad’s push to expand digital health services. Al Jazeera says the country has national plans and programmes aimed at improving access in areas with weak medical and energy infrastructure, while Telemedan says it wants to scale further across sub-Saharan Africa.