The Novartis Foundation is a philanthropic organization aiming to have a sustainable impact on the health of low-income communities. For the Ghana Telemedicine Program, the foundation partnered with Millennium Promise Alliance, Earth Institute, Columbia University, the Ghana Ministry of Health, Ministry of Communication, National Health Insurance Agency, and Ambulance Service, St. Martin’s Hospital, MedGate, Ericsson and Airtel.

The Ghana Telemedicine Program uses information and communications technology (ICT) to connect community health workers to medical specialists via 24-hour teleconsultation centers. Doctors, nurses and midwives in the teleconsultation centers coach community health workers and advise on the treatment of their patients, helping them manage emergency cases that are beyond their capacity and avoiding unnecessary referrals. Ghana Telemedicine Program