The fragility of the healthcare sector
In Africa, access to healthcare is a major challenge. The often fragile and underfunded healthcare systems, combined with a shortage of qualified medical personnel, exacerbate the medical situation. To address these challenges, innovation in the medical sector will offer a way to manage resources more optimally and will be an opportunity to transform the quality and accessibility of healthcare across the African continent. New technologies will provide solutions to healthcare infrastructure challenges.
Developed by a doctor in Benin, Kea Medicals is an innovative solution aimed at revolutionizing the management of health data in Africa. This digital platform aims to create a universal medical identity.
What is a Universal Medical Identity?
The concept of a universal medical identity is based on creating a system that would allow each individual to have a unique identifier linked to their medical records. This identifier would be securely accessible and recognized worldwide. The goal of a universal medical identity is to improve healthcare, increase patient safety, and also the efficiency of health systems. This universal medical identity would be associated with a centralized electronic medical record (EMR) containing all of a person’s important medical information.
The platform allows users to register their data via a phone or computer, such as:
- Their blood type
- Their allergies
- The chronic diseases they suffer from
- Emergency contacts in case of a crisis or other medical issues
The key element is that the medical record will be accessible to authorized healthcare professionals, regardless of the country or institution where the patient receives care. This will allow for faster transmission of patient information.
Each patient will receive a unique QR code that can be printed on bracelets, cards, or accessed via electronic devices. The goal is that in an emergency, this QR code can be quickly scanned by healthcare professionals to respond more effectively to the patient’s needs.
The difficulty of accessing care is also due to inadequate transportation infrastructure in rural areas, which significantly affects the efficiency of healthcare personnel by delaying treatments and worsening illnesses. The geographical distance from healthcare facilities is a major barrier to access for rural populations.
The use of technology
Kea Medicals will use blockchain technology, which is capable of securely storing and transmitting information to a network of actors.
This technology will ensure the transparency and traceability of patient data, helping hospitals and medical practices digitize medical records. These health records belong to the patient and can only be accessed with their permission. The use of blockchain eliminates intermediaries in the verification of a patient’s medical data, saving time for all staff involved.
The development and profitability of this platform will rely on revenue generated by users, professionals, and healthcare infrastructures, as well as from advertisements and the sale of data analysis.
The objectives of implementing this system are to reduce the mortality rate in Africa and to improve patient care conditions. The data collected on the platform could also be used for research purposes on diseases affecting Africa. Moreover, the universal medical identity will allow for tracking the progression of diseases, identifying the risk and advancing medical solutions.
Sources :
- https://www.lesechos.fr/thema/articles/kea-medicals-une-identite-medicale-universelle-140109
- https://www.notrevoix.info/info/articles/afrique-comment-vena-arielle-ahouansou-faconne-la-medecine-du-futur-avec-sa-start-up-kea-medicals-basee-au-benin
- https://www.cairn.info/revue-afrique-contemporaine-2012-3-page-95.htm
- https://fr-statista-com.scd-rproxy.u-strasbg.fr/statistiques/697704/esperance-de-vie-afrique-du-sud/
- https://www.afro.who.int/fr/news/des-penuries-chroniques-de-personnel-entravent-les-systemes-de-sante-en-afrique-dapres-une
