Africa: Technology Meets Health and Spurs Invention

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Young African entrepreneurs are taking giant steps forward in addressing some of the continent’s most pressing health issues.

Arthur Zang, a 24-year-old Cameroonian engineer, has developed a digital medical tablet, called Cardiopad, equipped with a touch screen that performs electrocardiogram (ECG) tests to determine the heart’s activity and diagnose ailments.

The Cardiopad comes in handy, as the World Health Organization reports that heart diseases in Africa are increasing. With a population of more than 20 million, Cameroon has fewer than 40 cardiologists in the country, making the portable invention all the more useful, says Mr. Zang. Most of the cardiologists are based in urban centres, making access difficult for patients in rural areas.

Source: All Africa (link opens in a new window)

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Health Care
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healthcare technology