S1 Episode 18: Safari guide to social entrepreneur: bringing telemedicine to rural Africa - with Huw Jones of Virtual Doctors

Definitely a contender for coolest enterprise on the podcast so far. Not because it’s particularly high tech, and not because of the numbers of people impacted, even though the potential is huge. I like it for it’s philosophy and, on one level, simplicity. Here’s a problem causing a lot of unnecessary suffering, and here’s a solution. But Virtual Doctors’ ultimate aim is to pass on the expertise and knowhow of (currently) UK doctors to clinicians in remote parts of Africa, so that they become self-sufficient. So the impact is contagious and enduring.

Huw Jones and I went to school together way back in the day, and I’m delighted to have reconnected for this interview.. It’s reawakened my love of Africa while also reminding us all of the serious problems much of the continent faces. Huw has had an enviably-interesting career to date, but of course not without its challenges. He’s done a phenomenal job of building a meaningful and sustainable social platform by inspiring people in both the UK and Africa into action, with the support of the board of trustees.

Virtual Doctors is a UK charity whose mission has been focused on Zambia and is now being recognised or piloted in other countries in sub Saharan Africa. And there’s even interest in deploying the tech in the UK - which would be a real breakthrough. What the business really needs is substantial and regular funding from benefactors who really want to help Virtual Doctors achieve its full potential. I’d love to bring the charity to wider attention, so please share this episode as far as you can! Thanks!

www.virtualdoctors.org