Arthur Zang

Cameroonian engineer creating Africa's first portable heart monitor

Arthur Zang is a Cameroonian biomedical engineer who developed the Cardiopad - the first medical tablet device capable of conducting remote electrocardiograms (ECGs). Introduced in 2020, this touchscreen device allows health workers in rural areas to diagnose heart conditions and transmit data to specialists in urban centers. The innovation has saved countless lives in Cameroon where only 50 cardiologists serve a population of 27 million.

Zang's invention won the 2021 Rolex Enterprise Prize and inspired similar telemedicine solutions across West Africa. His startup Cardio-Pad now operates in 10 African countries with partnerships from the African Union Health Agency. The device's $150 cost compared to traditional $10,000 equipment makes cardiac care accessible to low-income populations. Zang's work is chronicled in the documentary 'Heartbeats Across Borders' and his autobiography 'Pulse of Innovation' details his journey overcoming technical and financial challenges.