#datafree video conferencing platform, Veedo, enables health campaign to flourish amid COVID-19

A month after launching, Veedo’s #datafree video conferencing reach stretches past the business and social use, that is typically associated with video conferencing, to enable the essential work of antenatal and postnatal care in South Africa’s poorest areas.

Veedo is the first video conferencing platform to be reverse billed, relieving the need for users to have sufficient mobile data, airtime or WiFi to participate on the popular communication tool. Veedo is equipped with the already well established and effective technologies seen on other platforms (Zoom, Microsoft Teams etc.) but its value is compounded by removing the data cost barrier experienced by so many in emerging markets. Of which pregnant and new mothers in South Africa, with low incomes, so deeply face.

The Grow Great Campaign, based in South Africa, is on a mission to eradicate stunting in children by 2030. Among other methods, one of their approaches to tackling this concerning issue is providing universal access to affordable mother and baby classes (called Flourish groups) that support, celebrate and empower pregnant and new mothers through the critical first 1000 days of a child’s life.

The COVID-19 pandemic has put a halt to these in person classes, removing a pivotal part of the campaigns model, which has had an effect on the important work they are doing. However, the use of Veedo has made these classes possible again, ensuring that mothers receive the important information and support that is vital for their child’s healthy development. These classes will now be delivered using the platform and mothers can participate through a device which has a connection to one of the mobile networks.

Since launching three weeks ago, Grow Great’s Flourish groups have reached close to 400 pregnant and new moms across South Africa using the Veedo platform. There is a waiting list of about 300 moms more, many of whom would not be able to access this kind of virtual service if it was not for the reverse billing functionality that Veedo provides, ensuring that there is no data cost to the moms when participating in these classes.

In general, emerging markets haven’t been able to fully realise the potential of many technologies due to a number of reasons. Going forward, hopefully use cases such as Grow Great using Veedo, will serve as an example and inspire organisations and businesses, to invest in technologies to connect and empower lower income markets.