Our journey into telemedicine started with this big question about finding the right balance between traditional healthcare and digital solutions. We looked at the healthcare challenges in Africa, and it's clear there's a lot to consider. Unlike in the West, where they have well-established hospitals and care systems, with telemedicine being the icing on the cake, Africa is facing way more basic problems.
Consider this: in certain urban hospitals in Cameroon, where Hemora's headquarters will be situated, there are pressing issues at play. Some Hospitals grapple with challenges such as power outages, a shortage of specialized doctors, and more. These struggles often find their way onto social media through shared videos.
The hospitals mentioned in the examples above have pleasant physical structures, highlighting that, the problem extends beyond the physical structures of the hospitals. It involves training people, fixing underlying systems, and ensuring that healthcare is accessible through various channels. Take, for example, the hospital lacking electricity as mentioned above – providing a generator for essential lighting, especially for patients on oxygen, shouldn't be an exorbitant expense.
Moreover, when it comes to specialized care, telemedicine offers a potential solution by connecting us to specialists in seconds. The crux of the matter lies in how we structure and enhance these healthcare systems, addressing not just the visible issues but also the underlying challenges that impact the delivery of quality care.
Our dream at Hemora is to see a future where hands-on care and innovative digital solutions seamlessly work together, overcoming the challenges faced now. It's about a mindset tilted toward premium care, collaboration and breaking through problems by bringing together physical and digital aspects of healthcare.
So, is telemedicine the right path for Africa, or should we focus on building better hospitals first? The answer lies in both. However, at the heart of this question is the foundational aspect—the physical institutions and telemedicine are outcomes of well-established structures. Creating robust structures begins with training individuals to think and act in a certain way. This ingrained mindset then prompts individuals to develop ideas and innovate systems that align with this thinking pattern. In essence, it all starts with cultivating a mindset that values and prioritizes excellence in healthcare, paving the way for both tangible institutions and digital solutions to flourish and complement each other in advancing healthcare in Africa.
To achieve this, we believe in the power of collaboration. One person or company can't do it all. By working together, sharing ideas, and pooling resources, we can build a healthcare system that addresses the diverse needs of the African population. Together, we can bridge the gaps in infrastructure, improve training, and amplify the impact of telemedicine.
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