The Innovation Hub, an innovation agency of the Gauteng Province, rally around MPower Digital Health, an entrepreneur incubated at The Innovation Hub’s BioPark@Gauteng business incubator as they launch their online diabetes management service, Empower Diabetes, on the Apple App Store. Empower Diabetes, an innovative online diabetes management service, is convenient and affordable for people with Type 2 diabetes and is currently available for download on the Apple App Store for free and a premium service is available for R149/month.

 

Diabetes is a serious public health concern in South Africa with more than 3 million people estimated to be suffering from the illness. An even more concerning statistic is that about 70% of people diagnosed and treated for diabetes are unable to achieve their recommended health targets of blood sugar control. Uncontrolled blood sugar can cause serious complications such as impaired kidney function, foot complications, glaucoma and increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Empower Diabetes has been designed to help patients improve their control through the use of a specially designed mobile application and a personal diabetes coach that  has regular contact with patients over messaging to provide guidance and motivation.

 

The BioPark business incubator provides business development support to start-ups in the health, agriculture and industrial biotechnology sectors. The support is provided in collaboration with Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and eGoliBio Life Sciences Incubator. Since its incubation at the BioPark business incubator in February 2016, mPower Digital Health has benefited from business and technical mentorship, business training, IP advisory as well as financial and commercialisation support.

 

“mPower Digital Health is one of many success stories to come from The Innovation Hub’s BioPark business incubator. We are truly proud of their achievements and trust that the service will benefit diabetes patients across South Africa and beyond.” – Ms Anéa Burke, BioPark Business Development Manager, The Innovation Hub