Africa HealthTech Marketplace Launched to Address Gaps in Basic Healthcare Access Across Africa

By The Inspirer.

Kigali, Rwanda, October 29, 2024 – The Africa HealthTech Marketplace, a groundbreaking digital platform co-developed by the Africa Centres for Disease Control (Africa CDC) and the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL), launched today at the Africa HealthTech Summit.

This new platform aims to transform healthcare access by providing a reliable resource for discovering, evaluating, and procuring digital health solutions tailored to African needs.

Today, 600 million people across Africa lack access to essential healthcare services, with severe shortages in medical infrastructure and trained personnel further exacerbating the problem.

In some African countries, there are fewer than two healthcare workers per 1,000 people, falling well below global standards and impacting disease prevention, maternal health, and overall public health outcomes.

The HealthTech Marketplace is designed to bridge these gaps, particularly benefiting underserved rural populations.

The platform curates innovations developed by African tech startups and health organizations, including telemedicine, mobile health applications, and electronic health records. Through this marketplace, healthcare providers, governments, and NGOs can easily access and implement effective digital tools.

A Vision for Scalable Health Solutions

Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC, described the platform as a “game-changer for healthcare in Africa,” emphasizing its role in providing scalable, targeted solutions to improve health outcomes.

***Dr. Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC giving a keynote address at the launch of the HealthTech Marketplace***

Diana Sang, Africa Director at DIAL, echoed this sentiment, underscoring that the marketplace would bridge the gap between innovation and implementation, making digital health solutions accessible to healthcare providers across the continent.

The Africa HealthTech Marketplace thus represents a critical step forward in enhancing healthcare across Africa, offering a cohesive digital ecosystem that empowers both healthcare providers and innovators to tackle pressing public health challenges.