A local firm that works on digital health solutions launched a multifunctional telehealth platform that enables interaction between health service providers and clients via video calls, audio calls and text messaging. Liyana Digital Health Solution launched the platform that includes a 7755 helpline service, a mobile application, and a web-based portal service.

The helpline will cost clients three Birr a minute of airtime and accepts online payments, mobile banking through pre and post-paid subscriptions, and cash at the point of care.

Founded in September 2020 by physicians from the healthcare industry and academia, Liyana is a sister company of Liyana Healthcare Service Plc. The mother company operates tertiary clinical care facilities, a pharmaceutical supply chain, health science training and consultancy services, and Liyana Oxy Medical Oxygen Manufacturing, which supplies oxygen to health facilities in central and southern parts of the country. It hired 380 employees.

The company secured a license from the City's Food & Drug Authority to operate in the domain of virtual healthcare and home-based care services and from the Ethiopian Public Health Institute to provide home-based follow-up and treatment for asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients using a virtual platform.

The company's services are health information privacy compliant, and the mobile application is verified by Google. The company is partnering with ambulance service providers like Tebita Ambulance Service, hospitals like Girum Hospital and Nordic Hospital, and pharmacies and diagnostic centres such as Axum Pharmacy and Arsho Medical Laboratories for the provision of integrated services to clients.

Liyana is creating a freely accessible database of private and government healthcare facilities with details of contact addresses, available services and locations to ease access.

The company is also planning to scale up its virtual service in the coming six months by organising teleconsultation sites and mobile medical units in remote areas, according to Girma Ababi (MD), CEO of Liyana.

"We aim to be a bridge between remote areas and hospitals," he said.