Meraka Telehealth:Project Overview

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Background

Approximately 60% of South Africa’s clinics are rural and less than half of those have an effective communications system in place. As a result of this lack of infrastructure, rural clinics are excluded from the Department of Health tele-health programme. The skills level at these clinics is limited and usually a clinic sister is the only trained health-worker available. Rural communities are excluded from information that can benefit and save their lives.

The main purpose for tele-health, however, is to extend the reach of health-care services to the rural areas where there are limited health resources through the use of ICTs. This project seeks to demonstrate that through the use of innovative ICTs a cost-effective solution can be developed that will enhance health-care in rural communities and assist the Department of Health in rolling out health-care services to rural areas.