Vezeeta Launches Partnership with Egypt’s Health Ministry for COVID-19 Awareness Campaign

“As the number of active COVID-19 cases approaches 10,000 in Egypt, adding to the fear and panic among the larger population,” Amir Barsoum, founder and CEO of Vezeeta, tells StartupScene. “Our most urgent goal is to help put our patients' minds at ease, knowing that they can reach a doctor at any time, from the safety of their homes.”

Under the slogan ‘Your Health, Your Power’, Egypt’s Ministry of Health has signed a partnership agreement with the regional healthtech pioneer Vezeeta and pharma giant AstraZeneca to launch a nation-wide campaign to help curb the spread of COVID-19 through digital awareness, telehealth technology, and on-the-ground support..

The companies will be driving a large ministry-approved social media campaign to raise awareness about prevention measures, social distancing, and the importance of staying home, integral in bolstering the healthcare system’s COVID-19 response. The goal of the campaign is to empower local communities to manage their health and well-being from the safety of their homes.

The Cairo-born startup has emphasised the role the private sector can and must play in the fight against Coronavirus. “We are committed to providing patients and doctors with the necessary healthtech tools to ensure quality healthcare accessibility for all,” Ola Aly El Din, Vezeeta’s Business Development Director, tells StartupScene. “It’s urgent and critical that we raise awareness to help fight COVID-19 among our communities, and we need to lower the burden on the Egyptian healthcare system and front-line workers during these trying times.”

The campaign will be supporting the state’s overworked COVID-19 hotline, with Vezeeta extending its telehealth technology across the country in order to ease the burden. AstraZeneca will also help supply public hospitals with prevention equipment, in addition to providing training for doctors on proper protocol in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Earlier this year, Vezeeta announced a $40 million Series D round, making it the most successful healthtech startup in the region.