On 1 August 2024, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, in partnership with OSAAT Africa Health Foundation and MENGA Healthcare Technology, unveils MENGA. MENGA is a digital health solution invented by Dr. Luvindao and has been in the works for the past couple of years with the aim of assisting patients throughout African Semi-Rural Areas and suburbs to gain access to prescribed medication without having to travel long distances or acquire out of pocket health costs through the conventional methods of consultation and medication acquisition.
With MENGA’s development having commenced years ago, the testing phase was successfully conducted at MENGA’s facilities. With the Intellectual Property of the concept and innovation credited to Dr. Luvindao, the current wish is to launch MENGA for public use in Namibia as soon as the legislation on telemedicine in the country is finalized. However, Dr. Luvindao has started talks for roll out with two other countries and the public will be informed when roll out is set to commence.
The aim of MENGA, is to reduce the gap between the quality of healthcare afforded to those from lower socioeconomic groups versus that offered to higher socioeconomic groups by ensuring timely consultation and acquisition of medication. The target group for the innovation is women, men and children between the ages of 1 and 50 living in African semi-rural areas and suburbs.
The process will entail patients consulting with the doctor on call through a messaging system that does not require internet connectivity, After which they will gain access to their medication at a MENGA located nearby through ID scanning, finger print scanning or code. If positioned in local supermarkets and service stations, MENGA can ensure that the entire process on the patient end does not require internet connectivity.
“Innovations like these speak to the need for legislation and policies that are forward thinking and meet the people at their point of need. Telemedicine has also aroused the debate on whether it removes the aspect of human contact however, when approached from the aspect of augmentation as opposed to replacement, one may find that once we embrace digital health, it stands to benefit both patients and healthcare workers” says Dr Luvindao.
Thousands of patients queue up daily at hospitals, overwhelming the healthcare workforce. Thus, regulated digital health may be the solution to advance quality healthcare while reducing the burden of the traditional way of doing medicine.
In conclusion; MENGA is unique in that it provides real time access to a doctor and medication as opposed to a mere locker system. Secondly, MENGA allows patients to consult and access their medication in their native language, removing the barrier of language and comprehension. Lastly, MENGA’S medication packages are made from recycled paper, making it eco-friendly and efficient.
About Dr. Esperance Luvindao
Dr Esperance Luvindao is a Medical Doctor, Health Philanthropist, Forbes 30 Under 30, Digital Health Consultant, International Speaker and the Founder of Osaat Africa Health Foundation.
