Abstract

Background: Universal Health Coverage (UHC) is central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with telehealth offering transformative pathways to bridging gaps in equitable access for all, by leveraging technology to deliver health services remotely. In Africa, persistent barriers such as workforce shortages, geographical isolation, and weak health infrastructure continue to hinder health coverage for all.
Objective: This article explores the role of telehealth in advancing UHC in Africa, highlights the continent’s unique challenges, and proposes a multi-dimensional framework to maximize its potential.
Discussion: Telehealth improves access to healthcare by overcoming distance, reducing costs, extending specialist consultations, and enhancing continuity of care. Despite its promise, widespread implementation in Africa faces technological, organizational, financial, legal, and cultural barriers. Millions lack reliable electricity, internet connectivity, and access to digital devices, particularly in rural areas where telehealth is most needed. Effective telehealth deployment therefore requires strategic investment in infrastructure, stable power supply, digital literacy, and trained personnel. Equally important are enabling policies, harmonized regulations, and ethical frameworks that are culturally competent, ensure patient safety and provider accountability. Collaborative partnerships among governments, private entities, and nongovernmental organizations are vital, while Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) schemes can provide financial protection for rural populations.
Conclusion: Telehealth is not a panacea, but a powerful enabler of UHC in Africa. By addressing infrastructural, regulatory, and financial barriers through coordinated, multisectoral efforts, African nations can harness telehealth to expand equitable access, strengthen resilience, and advance progress toward universal health coverage.

Keywords:Telehealth; Health coverage; Quality; Population; mHealth