Solar-powered telemedicine kiosks expand rural healthcare access in Chad

Telemedan’s solar-powered telemedicine kiosks are reshaping how rural Chadians obtain medical care, allowing patients such as Ache Kodo to avoid costly journeys to larger towns. Launched by Abakar Mahamat in 2021, the kiosks combine solar panels, batteries and basic medical devices—blood-pressure cuffs, glucometers, pulse oximeters and ECG machines—to enable remote doctor consultations via screen. Connectivity is achieved through mobile networks, satellite links or stored data synced when internet returns, and a USSD service lets users book appointments without a data plan.

Prices for a remote visit range from $2 to $15, a stark contrast to the $200-plus total cost of traditional travel. Backed by grants and partnerships with Chad’s Ministry of Public Health and Prevention, the program now operates 37 kiosks in 11 provinces, reaching roughly 143,000 people and testing AI tools for diabetic eye disease. While the kiosks cannot replace hospitals or emergency care, officials see them as a sustainable layer of health infrastructure that aligns with Chad’s National Digital Health Programme.