SA startup Journey deploys mobile solution in fight against Ebola

We’ve seen many tech companies lend a hand in fighting the Ebola epidemic over the last few months, from top class data capturing tech by IBM to gratuitous smartphone donations from Samsung.

Now, Stellenbosch, South Africa-based Journey Apps has developed an app in fight against Ebola in Liberia.

We’ve seen many tech companies lend a hand to fight the epidemic over the last few months, from top class data capturing tech by IBM to gratuitous smartphone donations from Samsung.

Currently deployed by the non-profit, More Than Me in Monrovia, Liberia, the Ebola Care App allows users to respond in an efficient manner. “In order to be effective during any crisis, accessing real-time data is paramount as time is of the essence,” stresses Sam Herring, the NPO’s data manager.

Reiterating what Herring said, to combat the spread of Ebola it is essential to identify the worst affected areas. To maximise efficiency Journey utilises GPS co-ordinates to trace those infected and their families, and to assist ambulance teams collecting sick patients to capture vital information.

This is critical in the process as most affected areas do not use street names and run on paper medical records. It also means that the app can identify affected cluster areas and monitor health workers’ movements as well as children under quarantine.

The two brothers and co-founders of Journey recently embarked on a trip to Silicon Valley in order to expand its very successful business abroad. Once abroad, Malan and Philip Joubert realised the immensity of the deadly disease.

“The Ebola outbreak is the kind of thing you assume other people are worrying about… until you realise that perhaps you are other people, and it’s time to start doing something,“ Phillip comments.

The initiative has so far been funded by Journey, though it’s hoping to gain support from the global community.

“So far we’ve funded the entire project and initial phones, but to scale further we need support,” Phillip explains. “We want to get 1000 phones with the Ebola Care app deployed in West Africa. To do that we need to raise enough money to buy the phones.”

To donate a tweet, a share or a few bucks, visit Apps Against Ebola.