Satellite Internet Boost for Africa’s Health Sector as Aid Cuts Bite

Paratus Group has launched a satellite broadband service to connect health and community centres in remote parts of Southern and Eastern Africa, offering a lifeline as foreign aid cuts deepen strains on the continent’s healthcare systems.

The service, dubbed Paratus Connect2Care, will be available in Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda and Zambia.

Eligible institutions will receive two terabytes of priority Starlink data each month, supported by Paratus’ in-country teams, to ensure stable connections in areas beyond fibre or mobile network reach.

The rollout comes as African health systems contend with shrinking donor funding, which for decades has underpinned the fight against HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and malnutrition.

Cuts to major aid programmes have already led to service closures, disrupted drug supplies, job losses among health workers and reduced access to preventive care, threatening to reverse gains made in recent years.

In some countries, external donors have historically provided more than a third of national health budgets.

The loss of that support has forced clinics to scale back testing, vaccination campaigns and community outreach programmes, leaving millions at risk of untreated illness.

Paratus said Connect2Care will help mitigate some of these challenges by enabling facilities to access telemedicine platforms, manage patient data and maintain communication with regional and global health networks.

“Connectivity is a lifeline for healthcare providers,” said Paratus Group Chief Executive Schalk Erasmus. “With Paratus Connect2Care, we are delivering the means to save lives, strengthen community services and create lasting impact.”

The discounted plan is open to registered health and community centres, with applicants required to provide proof of official registration.

Paratus said the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and support essential services in underserved and remote areas.

ligadwah@businessdayafrica.org