Paarl-based digital healthcare company, Udok, has raised R10 million (€518k) from local venture capital firm, FinX Capital, to expand their offering across the country.

Udok runs a Connected Care Platform using proprietary intellectual property developed in-house.

WHY IT MATTERS

Udok has been providing remote consultations directly to patients and via pharmacy clinics for the past year and has increased its usage since COVID-19.

The company has developed a digital ecosystem consisting of hardware and software to capture medical information from patients. This enables providers to make diagnosis remotely in real time. 

The funds will be used to expand its network and technology and also aims to provide access to a Udok virtual practice at close to 200 Clicks Pharmacies countrywide. 

Udok is currently testing laboratory analysers inside their retail partners stores. They believe that they can offer the majority lab testing at a much lower price than conventional labs do. The company’s aim is to become the largest connected care platform to breach the gap between patient, provider and payor.  

The startup will also build on its smart patient queuing system powered by AI, a feature built to manage patient workload and a large online walk-in clinic.

THE LARGER CONTEXT

Earlier this year, Babylon inked a 10-year partnership with the Rwandan government, giving every person over the age of 12 access to digital health consultations.

Ada Health has expanded its services in East Africa with a new Swahili language version of its artificial intelligence assessment app. 

MobiHealthNews has previously reported how over in East Africa, the tech reinaccsance is shaping its healthcare future and addressing the gaps in care. 

ON THE RECORD

Founder and CEO of Udok, Dr Petrus van Niekerk said: “The company is proud to be appointed by The Clicks Group, the largest pharmacy retailer in South Africa, to deliver online consultations to their pharmacy clinics. This is a fundamental move towards making healthcare more convenient to South Africans and the rest of Africa.”

“Our mission is to make healthcare accessible to everyone on this continent through the use of a smart device which can be the patient's own or with the help of a nurse,” Dr van Niekerk added.