One of the main challenges in the fight against the Coronavirus is the false information that may be circulating. From fear-mongering to quacks touting fake remedies, the pandemic has made it hard to tell what is true and what is not.
State media tries to amplify the needful things and how you can combat the deadly virus but the noise generated by the false narrative can be hindering—this where Health Tech and Hospital administration have seen a renaissance. Often ignored, medical technology has come a long way in this century itself.
Africa has been a hotbed for medical advances in the last few decades, and with the new pandemic, Wellvis is one to look out for. Doctors today are swamped with messages and texts seeking advice and also the growing number of Covid-19 patients.
The telehealth platform seeks to bridge the gap between people and the doctor and offers primary healthcare services. The verified health workers on the platform will give you advice regarding your health and how you can go about treating. By improving the health of the general public, Wellvis is responsible for a much healthier Africa where all people have access to basic healthcare.
You can get answers to a variety of health issues or wellness in general. They also will clarify all the doubts you have regarding the Coronavirus and direct you to the nearest facility too. Lack of information combined with poverty can be a fatal combination. Wellvis aims to avoid this and provide crucial information to every nook and cranny of Nigeria.
What was the inspiration for founding Wellvis?
Dr. Adesoun, one of the co-founders, says that he used to get texts, emails, and calls regarding healthcare all the time. Whether it be simple medical conditions or emergencies, he noticed that people want just the information. They may also want to confirm or debunk a rumor that they might have heard.
Whatever the case may be, he noticed that most people do not have access to primary health care. Going to a clinic was not possible for many, but consultation over the phone seemed convenient.
He then got the idea to provide quality healthcare services over the phone and that is how Wellvis came into being.
When did Wellvis start?
Testing and development were already underway in 2018 but the service was released to the public only in 2019. Offering comprehensive telehealth solutions, Wellvis was well-received by the public. General information and helpful health-related information were available to anyone with a phone connection for the first time.
It has become one of the most useful and resourceful platforms for Africans to get their primary healthcare. Having a robust team of healthcare professionals, every African now can get basic health services.
Services Offered
Available in both online and offline formats- Wellvis has a crowd-sourced model in which the patient actively engages in the form of questions and answers. They can get access to high-quality healthcare.
You can ask the questions either anonymously or openly on their platform and a verified healthcare professional will answer them. You can also get physical consultation and lab investigations on the platform which brings healthcare closer to the people of Africa. The portal has a few products that can be purchased at reduced prices.
The fight against Covid-19
Wellvis has been instrumental in providing relief to families and individuals affected by the Coronavirus. They have run campaigns educating the general public about the symptoms and what measures to take in case someone near them is infected. These preventative measures have been highly successful in keeping the number of Covid-19 patients to a minimum and reduce the stigma related to the disease too.
The awareness campaign has made the public more educated about the disease and how they as a community can fight back against it. Wellvis has performed exceptionally well in Nigeria and continues to do so.
How does the Wellvis App work?
All you have to do is log in and the app lets you assess the risk of Covid-19 infection anonymously. You will have to answer a series of questions that will range from whether you have any symptoms or the last time you were in contact with a Covid-19 patient.
Based on what you fill in, you will be advised whether to go into self-quarantine or not. You can also consult doctors and other healthcare workers through their own medical hotline. Currently, the hotline service is only available in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, and the Gambia.
You can also book an appointment with a medical specialist through the app who will remotely assess you. All these features combined have made Wellvis an indispensable tool during the pandemic.
What is the Triage Tool?
The triage in accordance with the Nigeria Center of Disease Control (NCDC) can be used to categorize the Covid-19 patients. The user gets a category of either low, medium, or high risk and is told the appropriate steps that they should take next.
This feature has been instrumental in the success of the Nigerian government culling the spread of the Coronavirus and taking care of the people affected by it.
Existing fintech solutions handle the billing and it is very easy and simple and more and more people are warming up to online consultations. Most people who have used the platform use it mostly for nonemergency-related solutions. But with the outbreak of the virus, many have inquired about the steps to take when infected and which medicines to get.
Wellvis is on the front lines when it comes to fighting coronavirus. Ensuring that each individual has the adequate knowledge to deal with the ongoing crisis helps tremendously. The app has been wildly successful in impoverished areas too due to the telecalling nature of it.
Anyone with a landline or mobile now has access to quality healthcare and myth-busting solutions. Whatever your condition may be or whatever your doubts are, you can always call and get them cleared in a few minutes.
Available in 5 languages, namely English, Igbo, French, Yoruba, and Hausa, Wellvis has made quality healthcare a dream come true for many Nigerians.