What if a child in rural Africa could access the best healthcare in the world?
CLIENT
Society for Family Health
Industry
Healthcare
LOCATION
South Africa
YEAR FOUNDED
1983
Good healthcare forms the backbone of productive societies and contributes to enhanced individual well-being and stronger economies. Studies indicate that every $1 invested in health yields a return of $2 to $4.
Despite this clear value, healthcare systems worldwide are under incredible pressure due to a shortage of healthcare workers, limited resources and the constant threat of emerging diseases. These challenges have left many countries struggling to meet the growing demands for quality medical care, especially in rural regions. To date, over half of the world’s population – 4.5 billion people – lack access to essential services.
In response to these challenges, the Society for Family Health (SFH) has been actively working to develop sustainable and scalable solutions that bridge the healthcare access gap and enhance patient outcomes for all.
To overcome these hurdles, SFH harnessed innovative technologies to broaden access and enhance healthcare outcomes. The goal was to empower frontline healthcare workers to make better diagnoses using predictive analytics, triage patients more effectively and reach and care for underserved communities.
Through a strategic partnership with Sand Technologies, SFH developed a robust Rural Health Operating System (RHOS) to digitize thousands of rural primary healthcare clinics by connecting them to the cloud and AI-enabled diagnostic tools. This solution incorporates satellite internet, solar energy and advanced medical equipment.
The system features a Health Intelligence Center powered by AI, which provides valuable insights for informed investment decisions. A real-time risk visualization platform enables proactive responses to issues before they escalate, ensuring efficient and effective healthcare delivery.
The team worked closely with clinicians at SFH’s clinics to integrate electronic medical records (EMRs), telemedicine and supply chain innovations into their operations. They also trained the staff to manage the autonomous primary health facilities effectively.
The project succeeded due to the collaboration and investment among SFH, Rwanda’s Ministry of Health and other innovative partners. This collective effort enabled SFH to enhance its impact and improve health outcomes in Rwanda, laying the foundation for a sustainable primary healthcare system.
SFH’s efforts to transform healthcare delivery serve as a model for other countries seeking to leverage digital health solutions to address healthcare challenges and improve the lives of their citizens. As the project moves forward, Sand Technologies is excited to continue partnering with SFH to expand the reach of the Rural Health Operating System by digitizing 100,000 more clinics by 2030. We hope to transform healthcare delivery and empower communities to access the best healthcare despite their location.
