Global digital health leaders are urging African governments to empower Community Health Workers (CHWs). They recommend providing CHWs with digital tools to combat the continent’s high child mortality rates. Despite significant progress, the region has seen a 59% reduction in under-five mortality in East and Southern Africa over three decades. However, the region still records approximately 2,700 child deaths daily. This makes it the second-highest globally as of 2022.
At the Global Digital Health Forum (GDHF), it was held for the first time in Africa. Leaders from Living Goods and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) participated. Leaders from private sector organisations also participated. They emphasised the critical role of CHWs in improving child health outcomes through digital innovation.
The Transformative Potential of Digital Health Tools
Speaking at the forum, Kanishka Katara, Chief Digital Health Officer at Living Goods, highlighted the immense potential of equipping CHWs with digital health solutions:
“By equipping CHWs with digital tools, we can enhance healthcare access, reduce child mortality, and build resilient, sustainable health systems in remote, low-resource settings,” Katara said.
Gift Kiti, Senior Analyst for Tech for Impact at CIFF, underscored the importance of targeted investments in community health. She stressed that digital health initiatives play a pivotal role in advancing child health. They ensure equitable healthcare access for marginalised populations.
Child Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Persistent Challenge
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), global under-five deaths fell from 12.6 million in 1990 to 5 million in 2020, but sub-Saharan Africa remains disproportionately affected. In Kenya, the 2022 Demographic Health Survey reported that the under-five mortality rate was 41 deaths per 1,000 live births. Malaria is one of the leading causes.
Success Stories in Digital Health
Innovative digital health projects are already demonstrating their effectiveness in addressing child mortality:
- Living Goods’ Digital Health Project in Busia County, Kenya:
- Increased malaria testing coverage from 51% to 75%.
- Improved same-day diagnosis and treatment rates from 9% to 59%.
- Significantly reduced child disease and mortality through real-time tracking and treatment support.
These results underscore how technology-driven solutions can deliver tangible, life-saving outcomes, especially in low-resource settings.
Looking Ahead: The Case for Scaling Digital Health in Africa
While the progress is encouraging, achieving sustainable and fair healthcare across Africa requires:
- Policy and Investment Support: Governments and development partners must prioritise funding for digital health programs targeting CHWs.
- Capacity Building: Training CHWs to effectively use digital tools is essential to maximising their impact.
- Scalable Solutions: Expanding proven initiatives, like Living Goods’ project in Busia County, can accelerate progress toward achieving universal health coverage.
Digital health tools have the potential to revolutionise how healthcare is delivered in Africa. These innovations enable real-time data collection. They provide improved diagnosis and timely treatment. As a result, they can significantly reduce child mortality rates, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Leaders at the GDHF have emphasised this point. Equipping CHWs with the necessary technology is more than an investment. It’s a vital step toward building resilient health systems that leave no child behind.