App aims to reduce hospital claims

The health app is easily accessible and requires a smartphone and access to the internet.
Henriette Lamprecht
A 'granny-proof' app that was born from a need to improve the health of members with chronic illnesses and thus reduce their admission to hospitals, will soon also be available in Namibia.
The medical aid industry recorded a loss of N$500 million in the 2022-23 benefit year, with the financing industry suffering financially due to various reasons – which include a worrying trend of high hospital claims. The application, Clinitouch, has already been used successfully in the British National Health System (NHS) for almost a decade and has since spread to developing countries.
Clinico Health, the administrator of the medical fund Heritage Health, is the certified partner for Clinitouch Global in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The application is available free of charge to all Heritage Health members, and at a fee for non-members, other medical funds and clinical practices.
The CEO of the Clinico Health Group, Dr. Elton Black, says the Covid-19 pandemic taught the company the value and need for virtual services and "gave us the confidence to roll out Clinitouch. The medical aid industry benefits from this because the use of the app will lead to fewer and shorter hospital admissions," said Black.
The app will also reduce service costs related to chronic medications and consultations according to him, while also monitoring adherence to taking all medications, pills and injections. The latter in turn leads to the use of lower doses and a smaller need to visit a doctor in person.
In a nutshell, Clinitouch empowers people with chronic illnesses to maintain a healthier lifestyle that leads to fewer hospital visits because their conditions are effectively managed. The monitoring service is offered to the patient via a smartphone, tablet or laptop, who enter readings such as blood glucose or blood pressure on the relevant device.
The app can be downloaded for free from the Apple and Android Play Store and is easily accessible with a smart device and the availability of the Internet. “Participation only requires the ability to use smart devices. The app is designed to be very easy to use. The average user in Britain's national health system is 77 years old. It is therefore truly 'granny-proof' so to speak!"
In addition to entering their information, patients also complete a short survey at set times. The application analyzes the information and provides it to a health service provider who then takes the appropriate steps. "Clinitouch keeps track of users' information so that early signs of deterioration in users' health can be detected sooner, enabling patients to seek additional support and intervention," says Black.
Internal tests and adjustments of the Clinico platform are currently being carried out, while the live service of the app with a few volunteer members of Heritage Health also kicked off in November. The live testing phase spans a period of two weeks, with the final product for mass deployment to be ready by the end of this month.
Although the app will be free for all members of Heritage Health, according to Black, it is also available to non-members at a "very affordable rate". The app's platform supports 25 chronic conditions, including HIV, but will initially focus on type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure locally.
Black says the app offers the possibility of an expanded practice that helps doctors to not only help more patients, but also those who really need priority care. – [email protected]