Udok
With physical doctor consultations becoming more of a risk during the current healthcare crisis, the way doctors and patients interact has been changed for the foreseeable future. Udok has created a platform that provides a safe option to connect patients to real-time healthcare without the risk of spreading or coming into contact with COVID-19 and to take away further hassle of visiting a doctor’s room.
People with Internet access and a laptop, smartphone or tablet can speak to a doctor at a click, with no more aimless waiting room boredom.
Udok works where GPs can see patients – who will wait in a virtual queue – via video to provide a treatment plan, e-prescription, or lab referral. Patients will also be able to access their medical history through their profile on the platform, starting from their first consultation with Udok.
Udok has been successfully providing video consultations to clinics in the Clicks and Medirite group for the past year.
Platform: Any device with an up-to-date Internet browser and Internet access
Expect to pay: A free service
Stockists: To sign up as either a patient or a doctor visit www.udok.co.za
Capitec COVID-19 hackathon
Capitec Bank is hosting a hackathon to source tech solutions for a post COVID-19 South Africa. The virtual hackathon kicks off today via a live stream. South Africans are encouraged to take part by visiting the online portal and teams will be mentored by top tech innovators, with a grand prize of R100,000 for the winning solution.
The initiative is focused on finding new tech and talent to help solve many of the collective challenges facing the world post COVID-19.
The event is limited to ten teams of up to five members each. To enter, they need to demonstrate a functioning tech solution – but not everyone on the team needs to be a developer. The bank is looking for curious minds across all sectors of society.
From the start of the hackathon, teams have just under three weeks to develop their concepts, with daily feedback from their mentors. On Friday, 17 July, the teams will pitch their solutions to the judging panel, with the winners being announced on 21 July.
Platform: Any computer with an Internet connection, webcam and microphone
Expect to pay: Free to enter
Stockists: Teams can enter by emailing hackathon@capitecbank.co.za, with a description of the team, the motivation behind entering and the big idea.
Read more on the next page about Nando’s Kerbside service, an app to help one quit smoking, a safer way to pick up alcohol, and Facebook’s new online safety courses.
Nando’s Kerbside service
The Nando’s Kerbside service has now made it easer to order the chain’s grilled chicken meals. The Kerbside functionality is not a new app on its own. Rather, it is accessible through the current Nando’s app, website or call centre.
Customers place an order as usual, but then enter their car details and select a Nando’s outlet. On arrival, they click on the “I have arrived” button on their smartphone and staff will bring the order to the car, with the intention of keeping social distancing to a maximum.
Platform: Android, iOS or any other device with an up-to-date Internet browser
Expect to pay: A free download
Stockists: Visit www.nandos.co.za for downloading instructions
Kwit
With the current ban on cigarettes, now may be the best time to quit. However, that may be harder than said for some. To try and help smokers kick their habit, the Kwit app uses Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to help fight the side effects of smoking cessation through different strategies to confront a craving.
Once smokers have registered, a dashboard is presented where they fill in the number of cigarettes smoked each day, the cost and the average time taken to smoke a cigarette.
A diary is then presented that allows one to add an instance every time a cigarette is needed. This eventually adds up, showing the user the money and time saved – and, should the user opt for the premium version of the app – the number of years added to his or her life along with the amount of CO2 saved from their lungs is also displayed
Although the app developers claim to use CBT, the mere fact of adding a cigarette, along with reasons as to why a person wants to smoke at that point in time, is enough to make one forget why one wanted the smoke in the first place.
The app also offers various victories and achievements, much like those that are shown on fitness trackers.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download with the lifetime premium version costing R1 500
Stockists: Visit the Kwit website here for downloading instruction.
Read more on the next page about a safer way to pick up alcohol, and Facebook’s new online safety courses.
Hola Club Click & Collect
The Hola Club Click & Collect platform offers a safe and convenient option to sell and buy drinks at local taverns. The platform enables consumers to pre-order their drink to collect at a chosen time. This reduces waiting times and eliminates queues.
This platform encourages and enables licensed tavern owners to operate and manage their staff and businesses more effectively and safely, and to comply with lockdown regulations.
How it works for tavern owners:
Sign up on www.holaclub.co.za and create a seller account.
In the app, sellers are able to see bookings from consumers, which allows them to pre-pack orders and have them ready for collection.
The app also allows them to know in advance what drinks their customers will purchase, and be able to stock the right products.
How it works for consumers:
Sign up on www.holaclub.co.za and create a buyer account.
They then select their drink of choice from a list of products, choose a preferred time-slot for collection, and confirm where they would like to collect.
Consumers receive a confirmation of a time-slot for them to collect their order, and from which tavern.
Consumers don’t need to queue at the collection point. They collect their order and pay.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free service
Stockists: Visit the Hola Club Click & Collect website here for downloading instructions
Facebook’s My Digital World
Facebook’s My Digital World programme is designed to equip the youth and general public across Sub-Saharan Africa with digital skills needed to navigate the digital world. My Digital World is a consolidation of all Facebook digital literacy programs, including Safe Online with Facebook, Ilizwe Lam, and eZibo. It will be offered virtually this year to adapt to the circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The training is free and open to youths aged 13 years and above, and alsp focuses on teachers, parents and guardians. The sessions include:
- Up to 90-minutes of instructor-led live webinars featuring presentations, demos and virtual discussions
- Digital marketing campaigns highlighting best practices, tips, quizzes and polls on digital literacy topics, with content delivered through Facebook and Instagram
- Modules on online safety, privacy, news and media literacy and digital citizenship
Platform: Any device with Facebook access
Expect to pay: A free service
Stockists: Visit the My Digital World here