The Virtual Doctor Project
Paul
Mustardé
Uk Director
Mission
The Virtual Doctor Project uses the local mobile broadband network in Africa to connect rural clinics with doctors around the world, for diagnostic and treatment advice
Category
Health
Additional Information
There is a desperate lack of primary healthcare available to rural communities in many parts of Africa due to their geographical isolation, shortage of doctors, and lack of resources.
In Zambia: • one in nine children will not reach the age of five (UNICEF 2011) • 14% of the adult population* are HIV Positive (UNICED 2009) *(Aged 15-49) • For a population of 13 million there only around 1000 registered doctors (MOH Zambia).
The Virtual Doctor Project
By enabling remote access to the skills and experience of trained physicians around the world (our ‘Virtual Doctors’) via the local mobile broadband network, the service will help health workers to reduce unnecessary mortality and referrals to distant health-centres. Our project will prioritise child and maternal health, and will make a huge difference to the health of communities severely affected by HIV/Aids and other more treatable diseases such as Malaria.
Aims
Help rural health workers reduce unnecessary mortality and treat a wider range of conditions locally
Reduce referrals to distant health-centres by a third
Improve the skills and experience of hard-working clinic staff