With the WHO-projected shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030, solutions that support and extend the reach of clinicians are essential. For Africa, with over 24% of the global disease burden and only 3% of the global health workforce, the need for innovation is even more acute. J&J Impact Ventures, an investment fund within the J&J Foundation, has invested in ThinkMD to bring the mind of a doctor to essential health workers in resource-limited settings.
ThinkMD’s AI-enabled clinical decision software provides evidence-based guidance to help users identify illness and risk and determine appropriate next steps such as diagnostic tests, treatment options, or referral to higher-level care. By leveraging robust medical algorithms and intuitive digital platforms, ThinkMD delivers scalable solutions to support earlier diagnosis, triage and care, particularly where healthcare infrastructure is limited. The platform’s machine learning capabilities deliver clinical-grade patient assessments with up to 95% correlation to physician recommendations, serving as a mobile tool that brings physician logic to the point of care. This approach enables other allied health professionals such as community health workers, school nurses and pharmacists to efficiently perform health assessments, enhancing local access to high-quality healthcare.
We’re emboldened by a vision to drive both the quality and availability of healthcare in limited-resource settings, connecting people to the care they need and driving efficiencies across the system.
Since inception, ThinkMD has powered over 2.6 million health assessments in more than 1,300 facilities across 12 countries. J&J Impact Ventures has invested in ThinkMD to help accelerate additional growth and scaling in countries across Africa, including Kenya, Nigeria, Zambia, Sierra Leone and Rwanda.
“At Impact Ventures, we’re driven by a belief that purposeful innovation can transform the future of health, and we see ThinkMD’s technology improving patient outcomes by increasing the availability and accuracy of clinical decision-making at the initial point of care” said Caitlin Bristol, Investment Director at J&J Impact Ventures.
