Introduction: Telemedicine and the Bigger Picture

Telemedicine – caring for patients remotely – has been around for at least 20 years, but it took the COVID-19 pandemic for this delivery mechanism to really take off in South Africa. Telemedicine can be as simple as a video call between a doctor and patient, but its value is immense. The Digital Health market in South Africa is forecasted to experience significant growth in the coming years. According to projections, the market's revenue is expected to reach USD 831.20 million by 2024. This growth is anticipated to continue at an annual growth rate of 7.57%, resulting in a projected market volume of USD 1,113.00 million by 2028. Before the pandemic, telemedicine was barely legal, but now it’s revolutionising our healthcare system, making healthcare more accessible and affordable for everyone.

Dr. Now: Making Healthcare Accessible

Dr. Now was founded by the incredible Dr. Maalika Brown in 2022, just after she completed her community service year in the North West Province. Her mission? To improve healthcare accessibility for rural populations in South Africa. She teamed up with Dr. Ilhaam Van der Schyff, who shares her passion for making healthcare affordable and accessible.

Dr. Brown explains, “My goal was to create a platform that not only brings healthcare to those who need it most but also makes the entire process simple and efficient. With Dr. Now, patients can book an appointment, pay, and have their consultation via video call – all in one place. This means less hassle for both patients and doctors.”

Dr. Van der Schyff adds, “The recent changes in South African law now allow video consultations, which is a game-changer. We believe healthcare should be convenient and affordable, and with Dr. Now, we’re making that a reality. Given the staggering unemployment rates of young doctors, more should consider telemedicine because it’s more convenient for both them and their patients.”

The Role of WigWag: Simplifying Payments

A crucial element of offering an efficient and effective telemedicine platform is the ability to seamlessly accept payments from patients. Luckily, the Dr. Now team has teamed up with WigWag, the online payment provider powered by Stitch, making it a breeze for Dr. Now.

Here’s how:

• Seamless Payment Integration: WigWag lets Dr. Now accept payments from Visa and MasterCard, so patients from anywhere can easily pay for their consultations.
• Instant Payouts: Cash flow is crucial for young entrepreneurs. WigWag’s real-time withdrawals ensure that funds are available immediately for operational needs.
• Competitive Rates: Due to Dr. Now's increasing growth, WigWag has been able to offer the team competitive pricing that suits them for where they are.
• Human Customer Support: The Dr. Now team enjoys hands-on support from the WigWag team.

Conclusion

Telemedicine’s benefits are immense. It saves costs, reduces travel time, and even protects patients from exposure to illnesses in crowded waiting rooms. In South Africa, where healthcare access is often limited by geography, telemedicine is a lifeline. With the support of WigWag, Dr. Now is transforming healthcare, making it accessible and affordable for everyone.

For more information about Dr. Now and their services, visit Dr. Now's website.

For details on how WigWag can simplify your payment processes, visit WigWag's website.

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