‘Instagram-type’ app for doctors launched in SA

Johannesburg - A free photo-sharing application for medical professionals and students is available for download in South Africa.

‘Figure 1’ helps the likes of doctors share and discuss images or content relating to patient cases in a bid to help broaden these medical professionals' knowledge.

To date, the app is used by more than 150,000 users and as of last week it is available for download in South Africa from the Google Play Store, Apple’s App Store and on the web.

Figure 1 says anyone can download the app but only users registered as healthcare professionals can comment and post images.

Makers of the app also say it complies with SA privacy laws by automatically removing identifying patient information from images using tools such as facial blocking and by using a draw feature that blocks other identifying marks, like tattoos or names.

A moderation team further reviews every image before it is posted, while Figure 1 says it has a jurisdiction-specific patient consent form in the app.

“Launching Figure 1 in South Africa is a sort of homecoming for us,” Figure 1 co-founder Dr. Joshua Landy told Fin24.

“Three key members of the team have roots here: my co-founder Gregory Levey and our Director of Communications and Partnerships Kelly Aizicowitz were both born in South Africa, while my father was raised in South Africa and moved to Canada before I was born.

“We also know that South African healthcare professionals are facing unique challenges that they can share with healthcare professionals around the world. For instance, there are many reference images on the treatment of HIV/AIDS on Figure 1. We know that South African healthcare professionals will be able to add to this extensive library, and hopefully help one another,” Landy added.

In 2013, Figure 1 received a $4mn financing round led by Union Square Ventures.

Figure 1 is available in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

But Landy told Fin24 that plans are in place to also roll out the app across Western Europe.