Aspramed a solution that provides secure telehealth visits for patients from any device or location has collaborated with five key organizations in Zambia to offer remote mental health services to the public.
Through the Aspramed Telehealth App platform, individuals can access essential mental health services remotely, eliminating the need to travel to physical clinics.
Speaking during the signing ceremony which was held in Lusaka and witnessed by the Zambian Business Times, Aspramed Telehealth Co-founder Tommy Adebayo who was represented by his Marketing and Operations Manager David Simushi highlighted the platform’s commitment to data protection and confidentiality, ensuring that clients feel secure and supported.
He said advanced security measures have been implemented to safeguard client data, and anonymous consultations are available to encourage engagement from those concerned about privacy.
The initiative comes at a crucial time as cases of depression, unemployment, poverty, isolation, gender-based violence, and trauma have been on the rise.
The organizations include Zambia Association on Employment for Persons with Disability, Mindset Wellness Center, Counselling Association of Zambia, Global Entrepreneurship Network of Zambia, Adullam Therapy and Achieve Care Hub.
The partnership between Aspramed Telehealth and these organizations marks a significant step toward making mental health services more accessible and reducing stigma in the community and by providing a secure and confidential platform for remote therapy sessions, Aspramed Telehealth is addressing critical mental health challenges and offering much-needed support to those in need.
“Users can access one-on-one therapy sessions without worrying about being seen in public clinics, reducing stigma. Aspramed will prioritize data protection to reassure clients about the confidentiality of their information, as well as provide safe, trauma-informed therapy for survivors, ensuring they receive emotional support without fear of judgment.” Explained Simushi.
Aspramed Telehealth has also called on the ministry of Health permanent secretary to allow them deploy the AI Electronic medical record technology in Zambia hospitals once it is developed in 2025. Adebayo said there are currently applying for a grant with the Australian government to build the AI Electronic medical record technology software of which Zambia will be the first African country to benefit from it once it’s developed.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary represented by Dr. Margeret Chibowa who witnessed the signing ceremony commended Aspramed Telehealth and urged more stakeholders to come on board and help destigmatizing mental health services to ensure that individuals in need can access support without fear or shame.
“Things like this will help reduce stigma because a lot of people are very uncomfortable going to visit psychiatrists because not only is it them labeling but also others who see them walking there but that is one of the things that you stakeholders need to help us with to destigmatize mental health services.” She said.
Speaking at the same event, Zambia Association on Employment for persons with Disabilities Director Patience Nyambe said, this intervention will improve access to information as well as health care services by persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities who happen to be one of the marginalized groups in society
Global Entrepreneurship Network of Zambia (GEN ZAMBIA), Acting Managing Director Edwin Zulu said, this collaboration will help enhance mental health promotion among entrepreneurs looking at the current tough economic situation that Zambia is currently facing like the power crisis which is mainly affecting people who are running their own businesses as it is adding to the cost of operation.
Achieve Care Hub, Director Aaron Moono believes that the Aspramed platform will help create jobs for councilors in all works of life who are currently not doing anything.
And Mind space Enterprise Co-founder Victoria Mupinde also added that this partnership with Aspramed will increase access as well as service utilization as far as mental health care is concerned as well as help to stigmatize mental health services in communities as well as the nation at large.
Meanwhile Counseling Association of Zambia National Coordinator Benjamin Gondwe also stated that their collaboration with Aspramed embodies their shared commitment to providing accessible, quality counselling services through advancing research and promoting mental health awareness.
Furthermore, Adullam therapy Founder Dr. Matiya Ndengi added that this partnership with Aspramed will help them reach more people because of the Virtual platform that the Aspramed app offers.
