Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, but millions of people worldwide struggle with accessing the medical treatment they require. Many people, particularly those living in rural and remote regions, experience considerable difficulties accessing timely and high-quality care, exacerbated by geographic isolation, financial constraints, or a shortage of physicians.
Digital inclusion has the potential to dramatically transform these potentially life-threatening barriers. People with meaningful connectivity—defined as 4G-like speeds, smartphone ownership, unlimited broadband, and daily internet use—can more easily access telemedicine, health education, and online support networks. By ensuring everyone has access to reliable internet and affordable digital devices, we can close healthcare gaps and improve and, in some cases, save lives. But as emerging technologies like AI become more embedded in healthcare systems, it’s just as critical to understand not only who has access but who is represented in the data—and who is left out.
“As AI transforms healthcare and other essential services, we must ask: whose needs are being understood—and whose are being ignored? Too often, the very people who need these services most are invisible to the data that powers AI. Without meaningful connectivity and intentional inclusion, we risk reinforcing the same inequalities we claim to solve. Digital inclusion isn’t just about access—it’s about visibility, voice, and justice in the systems shaping our future.”— Onica N. Makwakwa
How Digital Inclusion Transforms Healthcare
Telemedicine: Bringing Doctors to Patients
For those living in remote or last-mile communities, seeing a doctor often requires traveling long distances—a journey that isn’t always feasible. Digital inclusion is changing that. By enabling virtual consultations, telemedicine brings doctors to patients, breaking down geographic barriers and making healthcare more accessible than ever before.
Imagine this: A farmer in a remote village wakes up in chronic pain. In the past, getting medical help would have meant a long, expensive journey and weeks of waiting for an in-person appointment. Today, thanks to digital inclusion, she simply picks up her smartphone, schedules a virtual consultation, speaks to a doctor, receives a diagnosis, and even gets a prescription—all without leaving her home.
Health Education at Your Fingertips
The internet is a powerful tool for raising health awareness. From understanding common illness symptoms to learning about nutrition, mental health, and preventive treatment, online tools give critical information that allows patients to make informed decisions about their health.
Expectant mothers can use mobile apps to monitor their pregnancy and maternal health information, learn about prenatal care, and connect with midwives or support groups. This immediate access to trustworthy health information could mean the difference between a healthy pregnancy and preventable complications.
Emergency Response and Crisis Management
During health crises, such as disease outbreaks or disasters, meaningful connectivity enables governments, health organizations, and communities to monitor the extent of outbreaks as well as disseminate critical information quickly. Public health agencies can communicate updates, safety precautions, and emergency contacts using web dashboards, SMS alerts, and social media platforms.
As we witnessed during the covid-19 pandemic, internet access allows people to keep informed about safety precautions, schedule vaccination appointments, and access remote mental health support. Without digital inclusion, many are left without crucial information that could save lives. Our research has shown that during Covid-19, internet access positively impacted lockdown experiences. In almost every country, at least three of every four respondents who had internet access reported a very positive or somewhat positive impact, with 93% of respondents in Ghana and Mozambique reporting a positive opinion. While internet access during lockdowns became a lifeline for billions of people around the world, internet access is not universal nor evenly distributed.
“Digital inclusion is no longer a luxury — it is a lifeline. When people are connected, they are empowered to access the healthcare, information, and support they need to live healthier lives. Bridging the digital divide is one of the most powerful tools we have to drive health equity — especially in Africa, where innovative digital solutions are already transforming how care reaches the most vulnerable communities.” — Jean Philbert Nsengimana, GDIP Board Chair and Chief Digital Advisor, Africa CDC
Expanding Mental Health Support
Mental health care is often out of reach—whether due to stigma, high costs, or a shortage of nearby professionals. Digital inclusion is breaking down these barriers by opening up access to counseling, therapy apps, and virtual peer support communities, empowering people to seek help privately and affordably. A young adult battling anxiety., Instead of struggling alone, they can turn to their smartphone for guided meditation, book a virtual therapy session, or join an anonymous support forum—all resources that might not exist in their local area.
Credit: Freepik
A Future Where Digital Inclusion Saves Lives
When people are meaningfully connected—with reliable devices, sufficient data, and stable internet – healthcare becomes more accessible, proactive, and effective. No one should be deprived of medical care simply because they live too far away from a hospital, do not have the necessary device, or cannot afford a data plan.
Digital inclusion isn’t just about technology; it’s about saving lives. By bridging the digital divide, we can create a world in which everyone, regardless of location or income, receives the healthcare they deserve.
Let’s prioritize digital inclusion for better health, stronger communities, and a more connected world.
For more information, please contact:
press@globaldigitalinclusion.org or visit Media Contacts page.
About GDIP
The Global Digital Inclusion Partnership is a coalition of public, private, and civil society organizations working to bring internet connectivity to the global majority and ensure everyone is meaningfully connected by 2030. GDIP advances digital opportunities to empower and support people’s lives and agency, leading to inclusive digital societies.