HumanCoop has announced a new humanitarian partnership with Identy.io to deploy facial biometric identity verification technology to improve healthcare delivery for thousands of undocumented patients across Africa.
 
The initiative is aimed at tackling the persistent challenge of providing reliable medical care to people who lack official identification, a situation that affects more than 350,000 displaced and undocumented individuals in the region, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
   
The biometric solution will help HumanCoop uniquely identify patients even when they do not have documented identity, nationality, or previous medical history. By enabling faster access to medical records and cutting down on repeat registrations, the technology is expected to improve treatment traceability and enhance the quality of care during medical missions.
   
This comes as duplicate patient files frequently arise when individuals attend consultations without documentation of previous visits.
   
Identy.io’s system operates entirely offline by processing biometric data directly on mobile devices, eliminating the need for internet connectivity or cloud storage. This capability makes it suitable for use in remote areas like the Sahara Desert while also protecting the privacy of vulnerable populations, a key concern for health workers in isolated communities.
 
According to a statement, the first phase of implementation will begin in Bir Mogrein, Mauritania. HumanCoop plans to register patients during two upcoming medical missions to build a biometric patient database that will be integrated with its existing clinical records system.
 
The technology will then be rolled out to additional operational areas, including Zouerate, where the organisation conducts surgical missions. Teams and volunteers will receive training on the new system, and regular evaluations will be carried out to measure progress in identification accuracy, service delivery, and patient follow-up.
   
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Identy.io, Jesús Aragón, said the partnership reflects a broader role for biometric technology in addressing critical social needs.