• Old Mutual has announced that it is investing in local telehealth firm Kena Health.
• The investment comes via Old Mutual’s subsidiary, NEXT176.
• Kena Health first launched in SA in March 2022, and has since become one of the highest ranking health apps in the country.

Life has changed significantly as a result of the pandemic, with hybrid work embraced by more organisations than ever before. Telehealth solutions also rose to prominence during this time, and local service provider Kena Health has only grown since launching in March 2022.

Now the medical application is set to receive a massive boost, as Old Mutual has announced that it will invest $2 million (~R36 million) in the company via its subsidiary NEXT176.

“Next176 is pleased to be contributing towards efforts to promote equity in access to quality healthcare in the country. As an impact-led business, we are leveraging the power of technology to make healthcare more efficient and affordable by facilitating interaction between patients and healthcare providers,” enthused Vuyo Mpako, founder and MD of NEXT176, in a press release sent to Hypertext.

For those unfamiliar with Kena Health, it is an app that aims to help citizens gain access to affordable healthcare, and receive consultations via their smartphone.

“Medical consultations can be delivered via text, voice, or video call within the app at a cost of R185 including sick notes, referral letters, and prescriptions which are sent directly to the patient’s phone further supporting ease of access,” the company explained.

“With NEXT176 leading our funding round, Kena Health is better positioned than ever to realise some of our grander ambitions to truly be part of a wholesale systems change for healthcare in South Africa. There is a genuine and shared commitment between Kena and Next 176, to contribute meaningfully, towards broadening access to quality healthcare. Kena and NEXT176,” added Saul Kornik, CEO and founder of Kena Health.

The app currently ranks first among medical apps in the Play Store and third in the App Store locally, showing how popular it has become since launching a little over one year ago. As such it will be interesting to see how this investment helps the platform grow and develop.