The statistics are sobering; at least half of the world’s population cannot access essential health services, and many households are pushed into poverty because they must pay their own health care costs. These were the findings in a new report released by the World Bank and the World Health Organization (WHO) last month. HealthTap, an interactive health company, wants to help change that situation.
HealthTap bills itself as “a health operating system powered by a network of interactive doctors and AI (artificial intelligence).” The company recently launched HealthTap for Good. This nonprofit arm of the company hopes to bring premium medical services to disadvantaged people around the world, regardless of their ability to pay. A recent press release says the initiative will “provide free-of-charge access to premium health services for individuals in need, as well as to medical providers and nonprofit organizations who take care of underprivileged populations worldwide.” Individuals will be able to access free virtual consultations with HealthTap Prime physicians using video, voice calls, or text. Physicians serving low-income populations and areas can get free licenses to HealthTap Concierge, a SaaS (software as a service) program that creates a virtual practice connecting doctors with patients, using video, voice calls, or text.
Many people go into debilitating debt to pay for the medical services they need. Even worse, many die of preventable illnesses each year because they don’t have access to even basic healthcare services. The HealthTap for Good solution could help alleviate this challenge. When everyone has access to better healthcare, we all benefit.
