COVID-19 and Teleneurology in Sub-Saharan Africa: Leveraging the Current Exigency

Abstract

Africa has over 1.3 billion inhabitants, with over 60% of this population residing in rural areas that have poor access to medical experts. Despite having a ridiculously huge, underserved population, very few African countries currently have any form of sustained and organized telemedicine practice, and even fewer have dedicated tele-neurology services. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be one of the most significant disruptors of vital sectors of human endeavor in modern times. In the healthcare sector, there is an increasing advocacy to deliver non-urgent care via telemedicine. This paper examined the current state of tele-neurology practice and infrastructural preparedness in sub-Saharan Africa. Currently, there is over 70% mobile phone penetration in most of the countries and virtually all of them have mobile internet services of different technologies and generations. Although the needed infrastructure is increasingly available, it should be improved upon. We have proposed the access, costs, ethics, and support (ACES) model as a bespoke, holistic strategy for the successful implementation and advancement of tele-neurology in sub-Saharan Africa.

Tele-Neurorehabilitation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Practice in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

“…However, to operationalize this, PWNDs and their caregivers must be thoroughly educated about these aspects of TNR. The literacy and understanding about tele-rehabilitation and use of tele-communication technologies for rehabilitation has been poor among those PWNDs even before the pandemic in many LMICs especially in Sub-Saharan Africa ( 29 , 30 ). Considering these aspects will be crucial to enhance TNR services and enable service providers to achieve neurorehabilitation goals in a realistic way within their environment.…”

The development of telemedicine programs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Progress and associated challenges

“…The authors reported a major lack of studies on telemedicine progress to serve as a baseline for indicating users' satisfaction with telemedicine services. Adebayo, et al [11] limited their study to teleneurology practice and infrastructural preparedness in SSA, which limits the extent to which various countries in SSA have made progress in terms of telemedicine implementation.…”

Teleradiology in COVID-19: A Sustainable Innovative Solution

“…However, the ongoing pandemic has created impediments in healthcare delivery, including imaging services. Healthcare services, health education, and health information have seen a shift to remote delivery through telehealth ( 2 ). All noninvasive imaging such as digitized x - rays, computed tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound scan can be interpreted through teleradiology.…”

“…Inaccurate interpretation of radiological images leads to higher morbidity and mortality in Africa ( 6 ). Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has an enormous health care burden, but is the region with the lowest level of economic, technological, and internet development ( 2 ). Telemedicine in Africa is limited by basic infrastructures such as steady electrical power, cellular network coverage, and slow internet connectivity ( 7 ).…”

“…Telemedicine has been utilized effectively in radiology ( 2 ), however, it is stunted in LMICs compared to HICs ( 3 ). We urge the governments in LMICs to leverage telehealth tools to strengthen their healthcare systems.…”