Vula Mobile

Secure medical app that creates an advice and referral community for healthcare workers

Past and Current Partners

UNDP Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV) for SDGS, DRK Foundation

Active Countries
South Africa, Namibia and Botswana
Thematic area(s)
Health
Technology
SaaS
Organisation Name
Mafami Pty Ltd
READ MORE ON THEIR WEBSITE

The Problem

There's a lack of training and specialist advice for health workers and departments in marginalised communities. Referals to specialists are often time consuming both for patients and healthcare workers. Unecessary referrals can be common and waste precious human resources.

The Solution

Vula connects healthcare departments and healthcare workers with a more accurate referral system app. They have worked with academic hospitals to ensure the right clinical information for each speciality area is captured in the app in custom referral forms, which has shown a reduction of unnecessary referrals by 31%. Teams can co-manage a call roster, handovers, and forward patients within a team, improving efficiency of operations.

How it works?

  • Step 1: The healthcare worker downloads the app. She registers and can join their team or practice area.
  • Step 2: She searches for facility she wants to refer, selects the on call specialist department, and securely sends patient information (as per medical legal compliance) over the app.
  • Step 3: She is connected to a new specialist healthcare practicioner who can give her advice on her patient. Step 4. All referrals are secure, legally compliant, and more accurate.
Digital X Solution Vula Mobile

Bridging the digital divide

Vula's goal is to improve healthcare for people living in rural, remote, and underserved areas. Ultimately we want patients to receive the right advice quickly and securely.

Impact and highlights

  • 26,000 health professionals registered on Vula in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • 850,000 referrals and discussions between patients and health workers or specialists.

Plans for expansion

Seeking to expand to: Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, and Zambia.