NAIROBI, Kenya- Global health experts are sounding the alarm: despite progress, sub-Saharan Africa still faces staggeringly high child mortality rates.
At the Global Digital Health Forum (GDHF)—held in Africa for the first time—leaders championed equipping Community Health Workers (CHWs) with digital tools to combat the crisis.
With approximately 2,700 children under five dying daily in East and Southern Africa, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The GDHF brought together health leaders like Living Goods, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), and private-sector players to spotlight CHWs’ role in improving healthcare outcomes.
Kanishka Katara, Chief Digital Health Officer at Living Goods, emphasized the transformative impact of digital solutions.
“By equipping CHWs with digital tools, we can enhance healthcare access, reduce child mortality, and build resilient, sustainable health systems in remote, low-resource settings,” said Katara.
The forum highlighted success stories like Living Goods’ digital health initiative in Busia County, Kenya, which drastically improved healthcare delivery.
Malaria testing coverage jumped from 51pc to 75pc, while same-day diagnosis and treatment surged from 9pc to 59pc. These gains underscore how digital tools empower CHWs to bridge gaps in healthcare access, especially in underserved areas.
CHWs are often the first—and sometimes only—point of contact for healthcare in rural areas. Gift Kiti, Senior Analyst for Tech for Impact at CIFF, stressed the need to invest in community health systems to promote equitable healthcare access.
While WHO data shows global under-five deaths dropped from 12.6 million in 1990 to 5 million in 2020, sub-Saharan Africa continues to bear the highest burden.
In Kenya alone, the 2022 Demographic Health Survey recorded 41 deaths per 1,000 live births, with malaria among the leading causes.
Digital health tools offer a scalable, impactful solution, enabling CHWs to diagnose, treat, and track diseases effectively. These tools also strengthen health systems, making them more resilient to crises and more equitable for marginalized populations.
Africa’s path forward lies in scaling these innovative solutions. Programs like the Busia initiative provide a blueprint for integrating digital health into national strategies.
By prioritizing investments in CHWs and technology, governments can address child mortality and build sustainable health systems.
