Aral Surmeli on WhatsApp, Health Equity & AI That Puts People First
Description
In this AI for Good episode of Digitel Talk, host Ian Ginn interviews Dr Aral Surmeli, physician and founder of HERA Digital Health. What began as a small mobile app for refugee mothers has evolved into a multilingual, AI-powered chatbot helping displaced populations navigate health systems worldwide.
From antenatal care in refugee camps to disaster response during the Turkish-Syrian earthquake, this is a powerful example of tech built for impact—with no logins, no gatekeeping, just open-source access to care.
Links and resources:
Episode sponsored by IFG Consulting Europe– Supporting telcos with tech strategy, digitisation and growth.
Guest bio
Aral is the founder/CEO of HERA Digital Health and cofounder /president of Medical Rescue Association of Türkiye (MEDAK). He has spent his career focused on medical rescue, disaster response, and healthcare for migratory populations. Aral received his MD from the Acıbadem University School of Medicine, his MPH from Harvard University T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and is currently studying for his PhD in technology and humanitarian aid at Johns Hopkins.
Podcast credits:
- Host: Ian Ginn
- Guest: Dr Aral Surmeli
- Editor: Francis Wright
- Designer: Rebecca Ginn
- Project manager: Ivana Duric
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