Three South African companies have partnered to provide low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite-based digital connectivity to a clinic at a mine in a remote rural area in Mpumalanga province. This was the first time that a LEO service has been adopted in the South African healthcare industry.

The three enterprises were the satellite and wireless technologies engineering consultancy Q-KON, the ICT group Gijima, and dedicated platinum and chrome mining sector healthcare provider Platinum Health Medical Scheme. The clinic was Platinum Health’s Modikwa clinic, at the Modikwa mine, near Burgersfort.

Q-KON, in turn, had a partnership with global major LEO satellite operator Eutelsat OneWeb. The Q-KON engineered and managed Twoobii high-throughput satellite connectivity service made use of Eutelsat OneWeb’s constellation of LEO satellites.

“The Twoobii-OneWeb LEO solution provided with Gijima to Platinum Health provides for a fully managed and tightly integrated WAN [wide area network] link that meets the requirement for a reliable always-on, anywhere broadband option with applications in emergency disaster response, healthcare training, health education and disease management strategies – all of which are especially relevant to South Africa’s mining industry,” explained Q-KON Account Director: Key Accounts Hendrik Bezuidenhout.

The system was successfully trialled at the Modikwa clinic, with the health facility being successfully transitioned from a fixed wireless system to the satellite-based system. The users were completely unaware of the transition, to ensure that there was no bias in the results of the trial. The results were so successful that Platinum Health was now in contract negotiations to gain access to the Twoobii-OneWeb service from across its WAN.

“Our Health Maintenance Organisation model depends on our own health service providers and facilities having constant online access,” highlighted Platinum Health Chief Information Officer Quantin van Rensburg. “This allows all service providers to access centralised patient records and results in streamlined, seamless diagnosis and treatment, and improved patient satisfaction.”

“We are committed to enabling Platinum Health to deliver patient-centric care at all their healthcare facilities,” affirmed Gijima Solutions Architect Louis Kirstein. “The Twoobii-OneWeb LEO Smart Satellite Services connectivity will enhance the interface between the scheme, healthcare professionals and patients through providing additional digital touchpoints, and enabling mobile-friendly services.”