The conflict in Sudan has precipitated a humanitarian crisis, severely impacting the healthcare infrastructure, leading to millions of displaced individuals with limited access to medical care. In response, we propose a low-fi, highly adaptive telemedicine system designed to navigate the challenges of disrupted connectivity, displacement, and resource scarcity.
TeleICU SudanDespite their scarcity, the intensive care units for adults and those for children, were among the sectors most affected by the civil war. Khartoum lost its ICU services by the end of first week of the war, when Khartoum main hub for ICU sector in Sudan, people and staff started migrating and allocating services to Wad Madani which became crowded due to the lack of absorptive capacity and the fall of the city of Wad Madani. The sector collapsed completely. There was 2 functioning bed by beginning of the war in Wad Madani Teaching hospital on the 15th of may 2023
when Madani fall there were 6 beds in Wad Madani teaching hospital. leaving port Sudan with its limited capacity to handle all central and east Sudan with sum of 9 beds. and 3 specialist available.
This system will leverage basic technology and existing informal networks to deliver healthcare services, ensuring continuity of care under the most austere conditions. Our initiative, while innovative and non-traditional, aligns with commitment to safeguarding children’s and communities’ health in conflict zones, providing a viable, scalable solution that can be supported without resorting to unauthorized methods
This document outlines a telemedicine project designed to address healthcare access challenges in conflict-affected areas of Sudan. It proposes a low-technology, adaptable system to provide medical care amidst disrupted connectivity and resource scarcity. The project leverages basic digital communication tools and existing networks to deliver healthcare services, aiming to restore medical care access, utilize existing networks, implement low-tech solutions, and develop a sustainable model.
Project Background: The civil war in Sudan has devastated the healthcare infrastructure, necessitating innovative telemedicine solutions. The project plans to overcome barriers like facility destruction, power unreliability, and connectivity issues by employing SMS, mobile data, and alternative connectivity like Starlink, targeting displaced populations and those in conflict-affected areas.
Project Objectives include restoring medical care access, leveraging networks, implementing low-tech solutions, and ensuring sustainability and scalability.
Proposed Solution:
- Connectivity and Power: Use Starlink and solar power for internet access and energy.
- Telemedicine Delivery Model: Utilize digital communication tools for connecting patients with healthcare providers.
- Training and Support: Train local volunteers and healthcare workers to use telemedicine equipment.
- Equipment and Infrastructure: Deploy minimal, durable medical equipment to makeshift clinics.
- Privacy and Security: Develop a secure platform for patient data and EMR that run under Virtual private network.
Core Components:
- Decentralized Telemedicine Network: A mesh network approach to ensure operational resilience.
- Open-Sourced Platforms: Customization of platforms like Medtronic Labs‘ SPICE for local needs.
- Hybrid Connectivity Solutions: A combination of Starlink and GSM-based connections.
- Solar Power Solutions: Solar panels and battery storage for independent power supply.
- Mobile Health Applications: Development of low-data usage health applications.
Architectural Details
1- Central Command Center CCC
Decentralized command Center is the core of the project composed of cloud storage where data of electronic medical records will be stored using open source platforms like OpenEMR. in our early estimation cloud hosted EMR will be quite sufficient to facilitate the access to patient’s record lab results and images
using cloud storage will grant stability of the system also using Virtual Private Networking will help securing access to doctors and monitoring devices as well as CCTV network and intercom VOIP,
utilizing this the Remote ICU consultant will have the ability to monitor the vital of the patient using his pc/tablet while communicating with the team on the ground.
by this we can empower junior doctors and anesthesia technican and nurses in remote ICU where physical access is impossible
