Bridging the Digital Divide in rural health: Equity and Inclusion in the Digital Era
While Kenya continues to make strides in adopting digital health technologies, the benefits are unevenly distributed with rural communities remaining the most disconnected from digital tools, infrastructure and information systems that could improve healthcare delivery. Barriers such as poor internet connectivity, digital illiteracy, limited access to devices and weak data systems widen the gap between urban innovation hubs and rural health facilities. This digital divide directly impacts service delivery from delays in maternal health data reporting to lack of teleconsultation services and limited access to online health information for community health volunteers. As Kenya and other African countries pursue Universal Health Coverage (UHC), digital equity must be at the center of planning and policy. Ensuring that rural communities, frontline health workers and marginalized populations are included in the digital health revolution is not just a technical challenge, it’s a justice issue. This virtual event aims to explore practical, inclusive and context-driven strategies for closing the digital divide in rural health systems and ensuring equitable access to digital health solutions across Kenya and the broader East African region.