21/06/2026
I recently returned from travelling and developed a health concern. Rather than immediately seeking an in-person consultation, I initiated a telemedicine consultation. The outcome was not a diagnosis, but something equally valuable: a structured assessment, guidance on what to monitor and a clear action plan for the next steps.
The experience reminded me of a similar situation three years ago today while attending an ethics programme at Venice International University in Italy. Following concerns about a possible Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) after travelling and still being abroad, I received remote clinical guidance that ultimately led me to seek further assessment when I returned home. While no definitive diagnosis was provided remotely, I received something equally important: clarity.
That experience became deeply intertwined with my PhD research into telemedicine at Africa Centre for Inclusive Health Management. It reinforced a lesson that continues to shape my thinking today: the value of digital health is not always in providing immediate solutions, but in enabling timely access, informed decision-making and appropriate pathways to care.
As digital technologies become increasingly embedded in our lives, I believe the conversation needs to evolve beyond how we live alongside technology. Instead, we should be asking how technology operates alongside us while we live our lives - supporting, rather than directing, the decisions that affect our health and wellbeing. Responsible digital health innovation is ultimately not about the technology itself; it is about designing systems that help people navigate uncertainty, access care and make better decisions when they need it most.
