Telemedicine is an effective way to manage cardiovascular disease in rural Kenya and to achieve universal healthcare

Abstract

Background: Africa faces a growing burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Innovative health tech companies are on the rise in Africa, but to be truly effective they need to cover the patient journey and to involve key stakeholders in the health ecosystem. Purpose: To prove that Digital Health could enable rural folk to consult a doctor conveniently, to control NCDs and to access affordable, quality drugs, all part of Universal Healthcare. Methods: This was a longitudinal, interventional, comparative study based at a community hospital in Murang'a County. The centre lacks doctors but the local paramedics and nurses carried out initial assessments. Doctors and specialists in Kiambu County were consulted online using the Daktari Africa telemedicine platform, which has regulatory approval and received various awards. Blood pressure and sugar levels were recorded on individual patient profiles. Results: 121 consultations were made between January and October 2019: 81 were online (the "Cases"), and 40 were interviewed there who had been seen in the usual way by the local staff (the "Controls"). Of the 81 case consultations, 72 were unique patients, seven were seen twice online, and two were seen three times. Of the Cases 60 (83.3%) were female and 12 (16.6%) were male. The average age was 63 years. 44 (61.1%) were hypertensive and 8 (11.1%) were diabetic. Among the Controls, 27 (67.5%) were female and 13 (32.5%)male. Average age was 54 years. 15 (37.5%)