Reach Digital Health

Reach Digital Health, the Department of Health South Africa and #SidebySide recently visited the Free State to engage with nurses and community healthcare workers from both city and rural clinics for training and knowledge-sharing on the #MomConnect maternal health programme. MomConnect, the flagship program of the South African National Department of Health, supports maternal and child health using mobile technology. To date MomConnect has provided nearly 5 million registered mothers with free SMS and WhatsApp messaging, health information, and access to a helpdesk until their baby turns two. The role of the nurses and healthcare workers within the network of clinics across the country is critical for the success of MomConnect, and as the programme technology partner, our team uses these opportunities to gain a better understand of the users experience of the programme to inform its continual improvement. The clinic visits and knowledge-sharing sessions are part of a broader roadshow and we're looking forward to engaging with all of the incredible healthcare workers during our upcoming visits to the Northern & Western Cape, as well as Mpumalanga in the coming weeks! #MomConnect #MaternalHealth #HealthcareInnovation #ReachDigitalHealth #Partnerships #RoadshowInitiative Buhlebamantungwa Mabaso Hlumela Ngaba Desi Nair JANE SEBIDI Ilifa Labantwana

Reflecting on an inspiring experience at the 3rd Africa HealthTech Summit - AHTS in Kigali, where I had the privilege of connecting with key leaders, innovators and friends driving digital health across the continent. This year's summit has underscored the urgency of leveraging technology to transform healthcare systems as well as embracing innovations that can accelerate the impact we want to achieve. Addressing clinical needs while building health literacy, positioning digital health as a bridge to more accessible, effective healthcare Leveraging WhatsApp-based tools like the World Health Organization HealthAlert to address the unique needs of both healthcare providers and the communities they serve is an example of targeted, localised, and globally relevant content that can be catalytic to these users. The Summit highlighted the crucial role that private sector partnerships must play in supporting and scaling digital health solutions, especially in low-resource settings. Witnessing the commitment across sectors at the Africa HealthTech Summit reinforced the potential of these collaborative efforts. Together, we can transform digital health into a standard of care that reaches those who need it most. Edwin Mulwa, Carla Pamela Blauvelt, Dr Francis O., Monica Amponsah, Wycliffe Waweru, Sheila Kioko, Jean Philbert NSENGIMANA (FAPH), Cyril Seck, Fatou Fall, Dr Amit N. Thakker, Daniella Munene Africa Health Business #AfricaHealthTech #DigitalHealth #HealthTechInnovation #WhatsAppForHealth

Although I left the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum last week with many stark reminders of how far we have to go to address Gender-Based Violence (GBV), as I reflect on the Forum, I am also filled with renewed hope and purpose. The event was a powerful reminder of the role we can play in creating a future where technology drives scalable solutions for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and addresses the urgent issue of GBV. At Reach Digital Health, we are dedicated to using accessible technologies—like WhatsApp and SMS—to empower citizens, particularly young women, by providing tools to recognise signs of unhealthy relationships and build knowledge that supports safe choices. Our solutions like #SafeSigns focus on measurable impact through sustained engagement, evolving from simply measuring scale to a focus on engagement and behaviour change measurement because one-off messages are not enough. Lasting change requires consistent, accessible support. A highlight of the forum was a reminder of the invaluable collaboration between the public and private sectors. Sometimes, in the work we do, we can start to see the private sector as the enemy, or at least as something we should avoid from an ethical standpoint, but in listening to the work done by Brands on a Mission and its inspiring founder, Myriam Sidibé [She/Her], I was reminded of the power of public-private-partnerships in tackling some of the world's trickiest problems. Through her leadership, Brands on a Mission unites diverse stakeholders to tackle GBV head-on, harnessing the power of partnerships to drive societal change. The importance of these multi-sector partnerships cannot be overstated—ending GBV and advancing SRHR across Africa require all of us to work together, leveraging each sector’s strengths for sustainable impact. We were also fortunate to co-host a networking event with the formidable Brands on a Mission team, which offered a wonderful opportunity to connect with our partners and the Reach Cape Town team. Leaving the event, I’m more hopeful than ever. With innovative technology and unified partnerships, we are one step closer to a world where everyone can access the information and support they need to live healthy, empowered lives. #SVRI2024 #EndGBV #SRHR #HealthMadePossible #digitalhealth

🌍 Carlos Yerena, our Director of Partnerships & Growth, is in Kigali this week for the Africa Digital Health Summit (ADHS) where he'll join a roundtable discussion focused on Approaches and Best Practices in Health Workforce Development on Thursday at 11am. Supporting the wellbeing of healthcare workers is a crucial component as we explore innovative ways to strengthen healthcare systems across the continent. If you are in Kigali and keen to connect and exchange ideas around this topic and on the future of #digitalhealth in Africa please DM Carlos Yerena directly. Africa Health Business Daniella Munene #AfricaDigitalHealthSummit #HealthcareInnovation #ReachDigitalHealth #HealthWorkforceDevelopment #DigitalHealth #HealthTech

There is something magical that happens when changemakers get together. We are humbled by all the partners who attended our networking event hosted together with Brands on a Mission and Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) last night. Here are some photos from the event. We are looking forward to continuing the discussion at today's SVRI Forum event, and work together to create a future where new technologies can advance scalable solutions for SRHR and GBV.

With the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum underway in Cape Town this week, we are thrilled to be involved in two events. COCKTAILS IN CAPE TOWN Join us tonight for an evening of networking and inspiration together with the Brands on a Mission team. We’d love to see you! 🌍 Let's connect with partners, activists, and innovators pushing for change across Africa. Event Details: 🗓 Date: October 24, 2024 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 Location: The Onyx, 57 Heerengracht St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001 Drinks and light snacks will be served as we engage in important conversations surrounding Gender-Based Violence and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights across Africa. RSVP: https://lnkd.in/ehX663NN VISION AND VOICES FROM AFRICA On October 25th, Brands on a Mission are bringing together leaders, activists, and innovators for two powerful sessions focused on pushing the boundaries of change in Africa. Our CEO Debbie Rogers and Reach's MERL Associate Kris Lemon will be joining the following sessions: 🔹 Session 1: How the private sector is leading the fight against Gender-Based Violence in South Africa. 🔹 Session 2: Influential changemakers, content creators, and thought leaders from four different countries will share how they’re leveraging technology to transform the narrative around Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and engage communities across the continent. If you’ll be in Cape Town and would like to attend please book here: https://lnkd.in/ejH5KQMi SVRI is the world’s leading research conference on violence against women, violence against children, and other forms of gender-based violence.

🌟 Join Us for an Evening of Networking and Inspiration at SVRI Forum 2024! 🌟 Reach Digital Health and Brands on a Mission are excited to invite you to a relaxed networking evening during the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum 2024, the world’s leading research conference on violence against women, violence against children, and other forms of gender-based violence. Taking place this week, October 21 – 25, at the CTICC in Cape Town, the forum is perfectly timed as we approach the start of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence in South Africa. We’d love to see you! 🌍 Let's connect with partners, activists, and innovators pushing for change across Africa. Event Details: 🗓 Date: October 24, 2024 ⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM 📍 Location: The Onyx, 57 Heerengracht St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8001 Drinks and light snacks will be served as we engage in important conversations surrounding Gender-Based Violence and Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights across Africa. RSVP by Wednesday, October 23: https://lnkd.in/ehX663NN Feel free to invite a colleague to join you. We can’t wait to see you there! #SVRIForum2024 #EndGBV #GenderEquality #SRHR #NetworkingEvent #CapeTown #Africa

“Digital transformation could be the difference between life and death when it comes to pandemic preparedness” - Ilona Kickbusch We at Reach Digital Health saw first hand what a huge positive role digital platforms could play in the time of a pandemic during COVID 19. But as is often the case it appears that many have forgotten the lessons we learned during that time. We need to build strong Digital Public Infrastructure including communication platforms if we are going to be resilient during the inevitable pandemic to come. #WHS2024 #DPI #pandemicpreparedness #healthsystemresilience #gpmd The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board

We are looking forward to joining these crucial conversations at the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum 2024 in Cape Town next week. On October 25th, Brands on a Mission are bringing together leaders, activists, and innovators for two powerful sessions focused on pushing the boundaries of change in Africa. Our CEO Debbie Rogers and Reach's MERL Associate Kris Lemon will be joining the following sessions: 🔹 Session 1: How the private sector is leading the fight against Gender-Based Violence in South Africa. Including SPAR South Africa, Anglo American, and The South African Breweries making bold strides in this space. 🔹 Session 2: Influential changemakers, content creators, and thought leaders from four different countries will share how they’re leveraging technology to transform the narrative around Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and engage communities across the continent. If you’ll be in Cape Town and would like to attend please click here https://lnkd.in/ejH5KQMi Or to connect with us directly please reach out via Linkedin #SVRI2024 #EndGBV #SRHR #TechForGood #SocialImpact Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Carlos Yerena

Register today and join our Director of Partnerships & Growth Carlos Yerena at this year's virtual RegtechAfrica Healthcare Digital Health Conference on the 28th & 29th of November. Visit https://lnkd.in/dmap6gUP to register or for more info. #DigitalHealth #AI #HealthImpact #HealthTech