PreCare - Health Care for Everyone and Everywhere

Challenge: Why do we need this new technology? 

Basic medical care in rural areas of Africa often fails due to the poor accessibility of people and their inadequate mobility. In the sub-Saharan region, for example, distances to the nearest large town can sometimes be up to 600 kilometers. Prompt treatment of the sick as well as prophylaxis and the early detection and prevention of life-threatening infectious diseases and epidemics as well as appropriate healthcare for the entire population represent a major challenge. 

Solution: How does it work?

Within the framework of the PreCare project, a cost-effective platform for mounting on pickup trucks was developed, which makes pre-clinical examinations, tests and vaccinations possible even in remote areas. The care units thereby provide storage space for diverse medical devices and active substances, and contain modular elements such as a water-treatment plant, disinfectant production, a refrigerator and a telecommunications unit. Furthermore, photovoltaic modules and a battery enable the platforms to operate self-sufficiently. As a result of its modular and universal design, the PreCare mobile platform can be adapted to the respective local and substantive requirements. Depending on the equipment configuration, the intended use can be varied. The system is suitable for establishing primary healthcare in remote areas or for setting up community healthcare programs. Furthermore, it can be utilized for the monitoring of infectious diseases and, consequently, for the early detection of epidemics, as well as for first aid in the event of a catastrophe. The mobile unit, which can also be converted into a small laboratory, provides valuable, flexible support for widely differing aid organizations and even for animal and species protection.

Added value: Who benefits from the new technology?

People who live in remote regions and previously had poor access to healthcare benefit from ”PreCare”. In addition to individual treatment with the mobile unit, systematic data collection to determine epidemic situations and the implementation and tracking of comprehensive vaccination and medication campaigns in these regions will also be possible. In addition, telemedical consultations with doctors who no longer need to be on site can be accessed via satellite connections. The use of "PreCare" can improve the living and economic situation of entire regions. Moreover, the platform can be used for testing new products in areas where access is difficult and for research purposes.