In Côte d'Ivoire, visiting a doctor no longer requires spending hours traveling to a hospital or waiting for a consultation. Since 2019, the Umed eHealth Center has been using telemedicine to connect doctors with patients across Abidjan, offering an alternative to traditional appointments in a city where traffic jams and long distances hinder access to medical care.
Through a computer screen, Dr. Esther Cassi-Aleba begins a consultation with a patient located several kilometers away. The patient cannot reach the medical facility, but thanks to the video call, Cassi-Aleba can hear her complaints, ask questions, and remotely assess symptoms.
There is no need to visit overcrowded reception areas or travel long distances—only an internet connection is needed to link the patient with medical assistance. Dr. Cassi-Aleba notes: 'We realized that for simple examinations, such as a malaria test or minor symptoms, patients can face very long waits in hospitals.' She added: 'We decided to reduce some of the burden on hospitals by managing these minor conditions using technology to improve healthcare access.'
From Screen to Home
However, the consultation does not always end online. If the patient requires a physical examination or treatment, the center may dispatch a medical team to the home. Cassi-Aleba emphasizes that receiving care in a familiar environment also contributes to a more comfortable recovery process.
She says: 'We recover faster at home. With our family and a little family love, this allows us to recover better—or, shall we say, faster.'
During one such visit, nurse Micheline Apete prepares for a house call. Apete reports: 'We are going to Attoban to examine a patient suffering from abdominal pain. She has a fever, headaches, and vomiting. Following the doctor's instructions, we are going to treat her.'
Within minutes, the medical team arrives at the patient's home and begins treatment according to the doctor's directions. The patient is given intravenous paracetamol to reduce the temperature, as well as other prescribed medications. Apete clarifies: 'We administered intravenous paracetamol to bring down her temperature. The doctor prescribed a treatment plan, including a vitamin complex to give her strength. She should feel better in about 10 minutes.'