Local healthtech startup secures R10-million funding 

South African-founded and based healthtech startup, Udok has raised R10-million in a seed round of funding from FinX Capital, a local venture capital firm. 

Udok has secured R10-million in funding from FinX Capital

As a Connected Care Platform offering virtual medical consultations, Udok will be utilising the funding to expand its offering across the country and further its partnership with Clicks Pharmacies. 

The startup reports that the funding will enable locals to access an Udok virtual practice at nearly 200 Clicks Pharmacies across the country. 

 Dr Petrus van Niekerk, founder, and CEO of Udok comments on the partnership with Clicks stores and how it will enhance access to medical care for South Africans. 

“The company is proud to be appointed by The Clicks Group, the largest pharmacy retailer in South Africa, to deliver online consultations to their pharmacy clinics. This is a fundamental move towards making healthcare more convenient to South Africans and the rest of Africa.”

Currently, Udok has built a ‘smart patient queuing system’ that is powered by AI and present within various Clicks Pharmacies across the country. 

Udok 

Founded in 2018 and located in Paarl, the healthtech startup has created patent and innovative technology that facilitates the delivery of online doctor consultations. 

The platform focuses on patients and acts as a ‘connected care app’. 

The telehealthcare system allows for remote consultations between qualified medical practitioners and individuals, providing a real-time diagnosis via the use of one-of-a-kind developed technology. Using software and hardware, Udok is able to capture accurate medical information from its patients. 

Users are also able to access advice, pharmaceutical prescriptions, remote admissions, and more via the digital platform simplifying access to effective healthcare. 

Dr Van Niekerk explains that Udok’s goal is to ensure that there is equal access to medical care for all. 

 “Our mission is to make healthcare accessible to everyone on this continent through the use of a smart device which can be the patient’s own or with the help of a nurse” Dr van Niekerk added.

With the pandemic shining a stark light on the need for innovative healthcare measures, Udok has addressed this market with its product offering for South Africans. 

How does it work? 

The platform, which can be accessed via a smartphone device, has the following features for users: 

• Access to virtual and video-based consultations with a qualified medical practitioner. 
• Effective diagnosis via the use of specialised medical devices built into the platform 
• Immediate access to medical health records 

There are no monthly costs involved in using the app and it offers a cost-effective way to access healthcare. Payments for consultations can be made via debit or credit card on the app. 

Udok plans to launch an additional offering at its retail partner stores in the form of affordable lab testing. Currently, conventional labs offer a higher rate for lab testing for patients. This is another step in Udok’s overall aim to bridge the gap between patient, provider, and the person paying. 

Read more: Kenyan healthtech startup secures $1.1-million funding
Read more: New capital fund of $30-million launches for Southern Africa SMEs

Featured image: Dr Petrus van Niekerk, founder, and CEO of Udok (Supplied)