S9: #086: Transforming Commercial Models and Health Outcomes in Africa and Asia

Combining commercial nous with digital tools to deliver universal access to healthcare

There are over 1.2 billion people living in Africa, and another 1.3 billion living in India. Together they account for about 34% of the world’s population. These two regions represent some of the highest levels of healthcare burden, and some of the lowest numbers of healthcare professionals.

For example, in Africa, there are only 2.3 healthcare workers per 1,000 people. Compare that to the Americas where you’ll find there are more than 10 times as many: 24.8 healthcare workers per 1000 people. To look at it another way, Africa has a deficit of 2.4 million doctors and nurses – so if you’re looking for a place where you can have a really huge impact on a population in need, there are a few big targets for you in the 54 countries of Africa, in addition to another 1.3 billion people in India.

In this episode I spoke to Emmanuel Blin. Emmanuel is the founder and CEO of Tech Care for All (TC4A). He grew up in sub-Saharan Africa and he has a deep commitment to addressing the challenges and inequalities that are present there.

In 2017, after 20 years of service in the pharmaceutical industry, Emmanuel decided to invest his energy in changing health outcomes in the poorest corners of our world. He created a for-profit, social impact company called Tech Care for All whose goal is to accelerate digital health in Africa and Asia as a key enabler to improving health outcomes in underserved communities. His vision is to bridge the very best digital health innovation that’s happening across the U.S., Asia, Europe and Africa. Emmanuel is a Digital Health and Social Impact Entrepreneur and he lives in Brussels with his wife and four children.

In previous programs, we’ve spoken with leaders who are developing solutions and models that help serve the people in these underserved communities – Some other episodes that you can reference include episode 13 with KP Yelpaala founder and CEO at Access Mobile, episode 14 with Neil Jordan Worldwide general manager of health for Microsoft, and episode 26 with Kate Newhouse when she was CEO of Doctor Care Anywhere.

I encourage you to go back and tune into those episodes to hear what other companies and leaders are doing to innovate and transform health.

Today's Topics:

Emmanuel's background at Bristol Myers Squibb before TC4A

The impact of new technology on drug discovery and commercial ways of working 

The key challenges in underserved areas such as distance to doctors and hospitals, and access to personnel and health workers

How these challenges are being overcome, and how capital is being put to work in an efficient and effective way

How private organizations can participate in, support, and benefit from their work in developing regions

Links and Resources Mentioned

Emmanuel Blin on Twitter 

Emmanuel Blin on LinkedIn

Tech Care For All on Twitter 

Tech Care For All on LinkedIn

Tech Care For All on the Web

The African Regional Health Report: The Health of the People

Shortage of healthcare workers in developing countries – Africa

Episode #013: KP Yelpaala on Developing Market-Driven Models in Emerging Markets

Episode #014: Neil Jordan Shares How Microsoft is Empowering People and Organizations to Improve Healthcare

Episode #026: Kate Newhouse on How to Cross Borders and Overcome Obstacles in Telemedicine

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