As part of our Impact and Innovation Forums, The African Diaspora Network (ADN) and Opella (the Consumer Healthcare business unit of Sanofi) co-hosted the global webinar titled “Digital Health, E-Labeling, and Health Literacy: Lessons on Self-Care from the Global South.” The discussion underscored how these technologies are bridging healthcare access gaps and empowering individuals in regions with limited formal healthcare infrastructure.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Josephine Fubara, Chief Science Officer at Opella, stressed the importance of empowering communities through self-care. In regions where healthcare infrastructure is limited, self-care practices are not just beneficial—they are essential.”In many places across Africa and Asia, self-care is the only form of healthcare that many millions of people will ever see. So it’s a shared responsibility and we need to make self-care accessible to all.” Dr Fubara noted.
Digital Health Transformation in Guinea
In Guinea, Clinic + O has demonstrated remarkable success in connecting rural communities with healthcare services. Nasser Diallo, founder & CEO of Clinic+ O and Builder of Africa’s Future (BAF) alumni offered insights into this transformative impact. For instance, through telemedicine services and digital health records, patients no longer need to travel long distances to receive care.”Our digital health solutions are saving patients both time and money—reducing travel expenses by more than 50%,” Diallo explained. Additionally, through partnership with telecommunications operators such as Orange and the Guinean Ministry of Health Clinic+O has helped streamline healthcare delivery, reduce costs, and provide more accurate data for informed decision-making. This not only ensures that healthcare reaches those in need but also helps healthcare professionals better understand community health trends.
Clinic O’s Impact in Guinea
- Serving 50,000 patients in rural areas
- 67% of patients now access care within their villages
- Average savings of $22 in transportation costs per patient
- Innovative offline-first platform addressing connectivity challenges
E-Labeling and Health Literacy in South Africa
South Africa’s approach to e-labeling represents a significant step forward in making health information accessible. Nisher Goer from the South African Self Care Association highlighted how South Africa is advancing e-labeling initiatives, working closely with the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority. By using tools like QR codes linked to voice-assisted descriptions, patients in South Africa can access medication information in ways that are tailored to their language and literacy levels. “Our goal is to make health information accessible to everyone, irrespective of language or literacy barriers,” Nishern noted
South Africa’s E-labeling Initiative
- Collaboration between regulators and healthcare providers
- Integration with existing healthcare systems
- Multi-format, multilingual, multimedia health information
- Zero-rating access to health information
The panel discussion culminated in a clear call to action: for digital health initiatives to truly thrive and make a difference, stakeholders must come together to align policies, prioritize health literacy, and ensure that these transformative technologies reach the communities that need them the most. “We have the tools, we have the knowledge—now it’s about collaboration to put them to the best possible use,” concluded Diallo. It’s not just about implementing technology—it’s about creating systems that are accessible, inclusive, and sustainable.
