adminH-Metro Reporter
A UNITED States-based technology company, Delov Technologies, has launched an app called Plus263Health, which aims to connect Zimbabweans with doctors regardless of their location.
This will be done using mobile devices such as smartphones, computers and tablets.
Doctors can register and use the app free of charge and select their fees per consultation.
Patients can use the app to search for and book appointments, receive prescriptions and speak with a therapist.
The platform will also allow the Zimbabwean Diaspora to pay for healthcare, for their relatives, directly through international payment gateways.
The company said it is currently negotiating with non-profit organisations to sponsor villages for free access to doctors, with plans to expand the service to neighbouring countries.
Delov Technologies said the Plus263Health app was developed with the aim of integrating technological advancements and addressing tech gaps in the medical industry.
One of the Delov Technologies founders, Nyasha Nyamupaguma, said the main advantage of the app was that doctors don’t have to incur any expenses and headaches of running an application.
“All they do is avail themselves free of charge and they get bookings.
“They charge their fees and pocket the money for a small fee. “For the pilot projects, we have done in places like Mbare, Chiweshe, Muzarabani, Hurungwe, Mutare, Gweru, Plumtree, Hwange, Chiredzi and Bindura.
“The residents welcome the convenience, the affordability and especially the delivery of prescription to your home.
“The patient is able to select if they want to download the prescription or if they want it directly sent to the pharmacy for a pick-up or delivery.
“This will become the go to marketplace for all doctors and pharmacies, not only in Zimbabwe, but also expanding to neighbouring countries.
“In terms of security, privacy still remains with the doctor.
“The platform books and facilitates an appointment and the rest, the doctors use their own internal systems, making it safe and secure as no medical record is saved on the platform,” Nyamupaguma said.
He said they had also added a therapy section where people could search for a therapist and seek counselling services.
Phase 2 of the project will see more features being added, as the company pushes for every Zimbabwean to have accessible healthcare.
“The diaspora has been supportive in the project ‘sponsor a patient to pay a doctor’.”
Patients, doctors and mental health practitioners are all able to register for free on www.plus263health.com or download the mobile app on Google Play Store.
“We are in Phase 1 of the five-phase launch and we assure everyone that it will be easier to consult a doctor than to go buy school uniforms in town.
“The platform has already registered experienced doctors and hospitals.”
Nyamupaguma said talks were underway with a Dallas-based international foundation to sponsor a whole village to access the best doctors via the platform free of charge.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter