A medical consultation should be a dialogue, not a guessing game. TechMed Connect, from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, ensures that language is never a barrier to health through their innovative BUA application.
The Problem
In a nation with 12 official languages, miscommunication between healthcare providers and patients leads to misdiagnosis, poor treatment adherence, and broken trust, especially in underserved areas.
The Solution & Innovation
BUA is a multilingual AI-powered app designed specifically for clinical settings, featuring real-time speech-to-text transcription, translation across all official languages and SASL, visual diagnosis aids, and post-consultation SMS summaries.
Impact to Date
- Competition Success: Won Hult Prize South Africa National Showcase 2025
- Early Funding: Secured R80,000 in startup funding
- Market Validation: Viral Instagram campaign reached 4,155+ views with high healthcare professional engagement
