Meet the #AbsaSmallBizFriday Featured Business of the week – Cape MedTech.
Cape MedTech creates affordable healthcare technologies for low- and middle-income countries, focusing on Africa. They develop innovative medical devices and digital health solutions, including Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) and devices like the EZ Airway® video laryngoscope. Their mission is to enhance patient care in resource-limited settings, to empower healthcare professionals, and to improve access to quality care for underserved communities.
Juandré Klopper’s journey began as a doctor working in rural South African clinics, where he saw firsthand the challenges of limited resources and outdated medical tools. Juandré felt a deep responsibility to address these issues and spent his spare time developing apps and prototypes to improve patient care. This led him to found Cape MedTech, where they create affordable healthcare solutions tailored to underserved communities. Driven by his experiences, he is committed to making a tangible impact on global healthcare access.
One of Juandré’s greatest successes is the development of Triage Buddy, a mobile triage app that can drastically reduce triage errors in under-resourced clinics across South Africa. By improving how critical patients are identified, it has enhanced patient safety and healthcare efficiency. The app gained recognition from WHO representatives in Uganda and is now being expanded into a comprehensive emergency room management system for Africa.
Other significant milestones have been their innovative, cost-effective medical devices like their affordable video laryngoscope. This device makes lifesaving technology accessible to clinicians in low-resource settings, overcoming the cost barriers typically associated with advanced medical tools. CapeMedTech’s efforts have reached numerous communities, empowering healthcare workers with tools that genuinely make a difference in patient outcomes.
Cape MedTech’s products directly reflect the needs he observed in rural clinics, combining clinical insights with innovative design to solve real-world problems. This journey has not only shaped Cape MedTech’s mission but also fuelled his passion for pragmatic innovation.
Looking ahead, Juandré sees Cape MedTech expanding across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing lifesaving technologies to even the most remote areas. Their goal is to develop more tailored solutions while establishing strategic partnerships that will enable them to reach millions of patients, transforming healthcare delivery across the continent.
In 2024, Cape MedTech was one of the Top 20 award winners at the South African Small Business Awards – this prestigious awards programme celebrates the most outstanding businesses and the exceptional business people behind these successful and growing businesses.
The Small Business Friday Movement, sponsored by Absa, encourages all South Africans to go out there and support local small businesses. It’s a 365 day drive that peaks on the first Friday of Spring every year. Find out more about #AbsaSmallBizFriday here and read about more of our featured small business heroes here.