An African country comprising 10 islands and various islets off the western coast of Senegal, Cape Verde has long struggled with healthcare distribution issues. Beyond its lack of medical specialists, the country presents unique geographic challenges. The vast physical distances between Cape Verde’s inhabited islands require air or sea travel.
In 2014, the peer-reviewed journal Telemedicine and e-Health published an in-depth study of the implementation of the Integrated Telemedicine and e-Health Program for Cape Verde (ITeHP-CV), deeming its launch “encouraging" and projecting success for the “foreseeable future.” In a further appraisal in 2020, the World Health Organization determined that telemedicine in Cape Verde has decreased the need for interisland emergency medical flights and generally improved access to specialized health care.