Harnessing Technology to Bridge Primary Health Care Gaps in Africa

Strengthening primary health care (PHC) systems is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring no one is left behind. Effective PHC not only brings services closer to the last mile but also addresses key health determinants, strengthens health security, and ultimately improves population health outcomes. Yet, scaling PHC innovations across Africa remains a complex challenge, especially in rural areas, where over 60% of the population resides, and as many as 80% face barriers to accessing modern healthcare due to geographical barriers alone.

Amref Health Africa is leveraging technology to tackle these challenges head-on, transforming healthcare delivery across the continent. The following examples showcase how Amref’s innovations are effectively bridging healthcare gaps and offer a pathway for African policymakers to build stronger, more accessible health systems.

Empowering Community Health Workers with mHealth in Kenya

To strengthen Kenya’s PHC system, Amref developed the M-JALI (Mobile-Jamii Afya Link) mobile application to empower Community Health Workers (CHWs). Since its launch in 2016, M-JALI has enabled CHWs to register households, report data monthly, and make essential healthcare referrals. With over 3,900 CHWs trained, M-JALI has drastically reduced reporting lag from three months to near real-time. Integrated with DHIS2 (District Health Information System 2), this technology provides government stakeholders with timely, accurate data to make informed decisions on resource allocation.

In collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of Health, Safaricom, and the Global Fund, M-JALI has scaled nationwide, achieving: improved accuracy and timeliness of health data, enhanced training and skills for CHWs via continuous mobile learning, greater efficiency in PHC service delivery, and strengthened monitoring and evaluation of health interventions.

This initiative illustrates how policymakers can use technology to expand PHC access, particularly in remote areas, by integrating mobile solutions into national health strategies. Kenya’s partnership model highlights the value of multi-sectoral collaboration in scaling digital health solutions.

Expanding Specialist Access through Telemedicine in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, where the shortage of healthcare professionals is acute in rural areas, Amref implemented a pioneering telemedicine project in partnership with the Ethiopian government, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). With support from these stakeholders, telemedicine centres have been established in remote health facilities, equipped with high-speed internet and video conferencing technology. These centres allow local health workers to consult with specialists based in urban hospitals, significantly reducing the need for patients to undertake long, costly journeys to urban centres.

Key outcomes of this initiative include: Improved access to specialist consultations for rural patients, cost savings for families and communities who no longer need to travel to urban centres; and skills and knowledge transfer to rural health workers.

Ethiopia’s telemedicine initiative underscores the power of technology to bridge the rural-urban divide in healthcare. Policymakers should consider similar models to address specialist shortages and to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare in underserved areas.

Transforming Health Worker Training with Digital Platforms in Uganda

In Uganda, Amref recognised the urgent need for continuous education and upskilling of healthcare workers. In response, the organisation developed Jibu, a digital health training platform that offers flexible, accessible learning for healthcare professionals. Endorsed by Uganda’s Ministry of Health and supported by USAID, Jibu provides a range of updated courses and training modules tailored to different health worker roles.

Key benefits of the Jibu platform include: accessibility on mobile devices enabling health workers to learn anytime, anywhere; and regular updates to ensure training content reflects the latest medical knowledge, as well as certification options, allowing healthcare workers to gain recognised qualifications.

By democratising access to quality medical education, Amref is strengthening Uganda’s PHC workforce and improving overall service quality. For policymakers, Jibu exemplifies how digital learning platforms can address the chronic shortage of trained healthcare professionals and elevate PHC standards.

Supporting Maternal and Child Health with the Lucy Mobile Application

Amref’s Lucy Mobile App was developed to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Ethiopia and Kenya. Available in both English and Kiswahili, the app serves a dual purpose by equipping community health promoters with training on pregnancy and newborn care, while providing pregnant women and new mothers with weekly health information to support safe pregnancies and postnatal care.

Early results from the app, which has reached over 12,000 women and trained nearly 600 health workers in its first year, demonstrate its potential to increase prenatal care access, improve health tracking, and empower women in rural areas with critical health information.

This digital solution reflects the potential for technology to provide targeted, high-impact support for maternal health. Policymakers can take inspiration from Lucy to implement community-driven, mobile-based interventions that improve maternal and child health across diverse settings.

Conclusion: Advancing PHC Through Strategic Investment and Collaboration

These initiatives highlight the transformative power of technology in addressing primary healthcare challenges across Africa. By embracing digital health applications, telemedicine, and online learning platforms, Amref is effectively closing healthcare gaps, empowering healthcare workers, and improving outcomes for millions across the continent.

However, critical barriers remain. Limited internet connectivity, unreliable electricity, and high infrastructure costs continue to impede the scalability of digital health solutions. Moreover, ensuring data privacy and security is essential as health systems become increasingly digitised.

To overcome these challenges, policymakers must prioritise investment in digital infrastructure, particularly in underserved rural areas. Collaboration with private sector actors, NGOs, and local communities will be essential to provide the resources and expertise needed to address these barriers. Additionally, training healthcare workers in digital literacy and expanding internet access are crucial steps toward maximising the potential of these initiatives.

As technology advances, the opportunities for further innovation in healthcare delivery are boundless. Amref’s success demonstrates that Africa can achieve significant gains in universal health coverage by harnessing technology adapted to local contexts. For policymakers, the path forward is clear: by fostering an enabling environment for innovation and by championing collaborative, evidence-based solutions, Africa can build a more resilient, accessible, and equitable healthcare system for all its citizens.

About the Authors 

Charlotte Muheki, Technical Director, Primary Health Care, Health Systems Strengthening Directorate, Amref Health Africa 

James Soki, Program Manager, Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage working with Health Systems Strengthening directorate, Amref Health Africa 

Rahul S. Reddy Kadarpeta, Executive Director for the Joint Learning Network for Universal Health Coverage working with Health Systems Strengthening directorate, Amref Health Africa