Kena Health, a South African HealthTech company, is leveraging technology to revolutionize women’s access to healthcare, particularly in the areas of sexual and reproductive rights. With a network spanning over 450 clinics and a nurse-led, multidisciplinary clinical team, the company underscores the capacity of social media and other tech platforms to reach and educate vast audiences on health-related matters.
The health challenges confronting women and girls in Africa, particularly in relation to sexual and reproductive health, are significant. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the maternal mortality rate in Africa far exceeds targeted figures, and access to modern family planning is limited for women in relationships within Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, legal access to abortion services is restricted to a mere four out of the continent’s 54 countries.
Further compounding these issues is the pervasive problem of gender-based violence, with harrowing statistics illustrating the dangers faced by women. The urgency to address these challenges is inextricably linked to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal specifically for Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality).
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Kena Health believes that empowering women is essential given their roles in fostering healthy future generations and contributing to the workforce. Poor health outcomes for women stem from a complex web of factors, including societal stigma, cost barriers, and issues of convenience. Technological solutions, like Kena Health’s innovative app, offer a beacon of hope to surmount such obstacles:
- Accessibility: The app allows women to privately consult with medical professionals at their convenience, overcoming the challenges of physical clinic visits and stigmatization associated with seeking care for sexual health.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Users of Kena Health’s app can save money on medical consultations, which are much more affordable on the platform compared to in-person visits.
- Convenience and Privacy: With features that allow prescriptions to be delivered directly within the app or via email, women can discreetly manage their health needs.
- Information Empowerment: Kena Health’s app serves as a source of valuable health information, providing support for mental wellness and gender-sensitive healthcare options.
By fostering technology-assisted access to healthcare, Kena Health assists women in navigating health decisions free from coercion and societal pressures, thereby enhancing their ability to achieve better health outcomes and stand against gender-based violence. This fusion of technology and healthcare advocacy signifies an important stride in advancing women’s rights and well-being across the continent.
SOURCE: Kena Health.
