MOBILE AFYA
USSD | Health IT | FemTech | Ai
Developed by medical professionals, doctors, engineers and tech innovators.
Mobile afya is the first USSD application in Africa using internet-free mobile technology to provide basic health information in local and native languages starting with Swahili in East Africa.
INFO FACT : Swahili is the number one spoken language in Africa.
OUR MAIN GOALS:
Provide information to influence informed decisions.
Use artificial intelligence for smart predictions and to connect users with health care providers.
HOW IT WORKS
Dial access code
Choose service or topic you want to get information on
Receive text message (SMS) with the information you have requested
COVID-19 RESPONSE
ACTION POINT
Mobile afya is looking to partner with MNOs (Mobile network operators) in using mobile technology via USSD to disseminate correct and accurate information about COVID-19 to Tanzanians in both rural and urban areas.
COVID-19 content is already up and running on Mobile afya application piloting with 350 users.
EXPECTED OUTCOME:
Ensure that all mobile phone users are informed and taking the safety measures against the COVID-19 pandemic such as frequent wash of hands with soap and water or cleaning hands using an alcohol-based hand rub. Also, avoiding gatherings, large groups or close contact with anyone who is coughing and sneezing.
MOBILE AFYA FEATURES
Overcoming the digital divide and disrupting the African market
HEALTH INFORMATION
Content ranging from communicable diseases, non communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases, preventive measures, first aid and mental health are accessible on Mobile afya.
Now any person with a mobile phone can make informed decisions guided by correct and scientifically verified health information.
SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
Focusing on menstrual health and maternal health, our features allow the user to access a period calendar tracker and learn about their monthly menstruation cycles with information about predicted date of next period, ovulation and fertility window (when a woman can conceive).
Also the maternal health sub-feature equips a soon to be parent with a basic knowledge of how to maintain a healthy pregnancy.
PARENTING TOOLS
Mobile afya provides a general understanding to parents on how to start sensitive conversations about topics such as adolescence health and accompanying physical and emotional changes, sex education, sexually transmitted diseases and how to stay healthy and safe.
PEER TO PEER ADVICE
A library of real-life inspirational stories and testimonials for young people to access in their own privacy. Mobile afya aims to walk youth through struggles that they are currently facing by sharing life experiences of how others have managed to go through the challenges.
WHAT MAKES MOBILE AFYA UNIQUE
ACCESSIBILITY
Mobile afya is accessible in all types of phones - feature phones (offline) & smart phones, therefore serving all users with mobile phones in Africa. The app is packed with verified and accurate health content developed by medical professionals.
FAMILIARITY
Mobile afya is in Swahili language and has the same usability protocols as mobile money wallets (a fin-tech service that is estimated to have more than 135 million users in Africa) which demonstrates a lower learning curve for users.
USSD TECHNOLOGY
Mobile afya is an offline app because majority of all mobile users in Tanzania do not have access to internet, as they use feature mobile phones or are unable to afford data plans.
AI - ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Mobile afya utilizes the available infrastructure in Africa through mobile technology and create public health data to transform the healthIT sector while allowing users to receive smart predictions and connecting them to specific healthcare providers based on their search of medical information.
PRIVACY
Mobile afya is designed with the user in mind, the application does not collect personal information apart from mobile numbers and location. All information is received via SMS and can be kept or deleted based on the user’s preference.
SIMPLICITY AND B2B ADDED VALUE
Mobile afya subscription is made easy and can be done in 60 seconds through integrated mobile wallet payment systems. Mobile afya brings new business to mobile network operators and adds value to their mobile money / wallet services.
PRODUCT
First product release: November, 2019
Business / Revenue model
€1 . 15 / TZS 3,000 - Annual subscription
(12 months access)
AS COVERED BY MEDIA
TEAM
MARIATHERESA SAMSON KADUSHI
Lead tech / Founder
DR. HILDERRUTH ALLAN SHOO
Lead medical / Co founder
FARAH RIDA
Lead partnership development / Founding partner
ANJA WITTE
Lead growth hacking / Founding partner
ANNA N. JOSEPH NDAMCHO
Lead digital and comms
MADISON STADLER-ROSE
Scalability and resources / North America
DEBORAH SAMWEL PETRO
Legal and compliance
LEA RUFFER
Communications and media assistant
GET IN TOUCH
Bima road, Block B, Mikocheni
P.O.Box 32266 Dar es salaam | Tanzania.
+255 747 055 155 / +255 762 368 010 (call, text or WhatsApp)
