Georgie, a stateoftheart robot, has been introduced to the ICU of George Hospital, South Africa, as part of the TeleICU project. This technology improves decisionmaking and knowledge sharing among medical professionals, breaking down barriers of physical presence and making medical services more accessible and equitable. This innovative venture into telemedicine is anticipated to not only increase the accessibility of healthcare services but also make them more equitable, setting the stage for a new era of healthcare delivery in South Africa.
The digital divide is a significant challenge in South Africa, with many citizens lacking access to essential services such as education and healthcare due to limited internet connectivity. To address this issue, the government has launched the SA Connect program, which aims to provide highspeed internet connectivity to all citizens, regardless of their location or economic status.