In Benin, DOTOH adapts teleconsultation for low-bandwidth connections

An online consultation is of little use if the connection drops at the wrong moment. In Benin, DOTOH has designed its platform around data-light exchanges, featuring audio and video calls, messages, and voice notes, to connect patients with qualified healthcare professionals.

On September 11, UNICEF Innovation highlighted this Beninese solution that emerged in 2023. DOTOH combines appointment scheduling, teleconsultation, a digital health record, preventive content, and referrals to nearby pharmacies or clinics. The service particularly targets adolescents, pregnant women or those in the postpartum period, as well as young people and families living far from healthcare facilities.

Low bandwidth is central to the system. In its presentation of the first cohort of Femtech Ventures, UNICEF describes audio and video consultations tailored for limited connections, asynchronous voice messages, and geolocated referrals. These formats aim to reduce barriers related to distance, transportation, scheduling, and childcare.

However, telemedicine does not replace all in-person appointments. The World Health Organization presents it as a useful complement to face-to-face consultations and emphasizes the need for qualified professionals, confidentiality protection, and adaptation to infrastructure limitations. DOTOH asserts that its technology is designed to facilitate access to the right professional without replacing the care relationship.

According to information published by UNICEF, DOTOH has supported over 1,000 users since its inception. The platform reports that access times to care have decreased from several weeks to less than 24 hours for monitored users, with more than 90% of users reporting improved health knowledge and over 60% returning for follow-up. These results are reported by the service and do not constitute an independent clinical evaluation.

The support from the UNICEF Venture Fund now focuses on three functions: automated appointment reminders, a chatbot, and post-consultation follow-up. DOTOH is part of a first cohort selected from over 1,100 applications received from 85 countries. The program offers up to $100,000 in funding without equity stake and one year of technical support.

DOTOH indicates that its application currently allows for appointment scheduling, audio or video exchanges, and geolocation of pharmacies and clinics. UNICEF specified on September 11, 2026, that user testing is planned in Benin to measure satisfaction, repeated use, and preferences related to digital healthcare.