Unu Health: New app aims to improve access to healthcare in South Africa
The free mobile app allows users to consult doctors, check vital signs, and order tests from their phones.
Picture: Pheelingsmedia/123rf.com
702's Gugs Mhlungu spoke to founder of Unu Health, Tania Joffe.
Listen to their conversation in the audio clip below.
South Africa’s healthcare system has its fair share of challenges, with long waiting times and a lack of access to medical aid for many people.
Unu Health, a mobile app, is trying to make a difference.
The free app promises to make healthcare more accessible, allowing users to speak to a doctor, check their vital signs, and even order blood tests - all from their phones.
"...you can see a doctor from your phone, Monday to Sunday."
- Tania Joffe, founder of Unu Health
All you need to sign up is a South African cell number and an ID or passport.
"It's completely free and zero data rate because you know data costs are a huge friction point for South Africans."
- Tania Joffe, founder of Unu Health
Joffe says the app is about making healthcare something you can manage as easily as ordering food or banking online, especially for those who don’t have medical aid or struggle with the public healthcare system.
She adds that one of the app’s standout features is its face scan tool.
In under a minute, it can give you a reading of your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels just by using your phone’s camera.
"So we're really just trying to make healthcare sort of fit into our very busy lives by making it accessible from the phone."
- Tania Joffe, founder of Unu Health
Scroll up to listen to the full conversation