Stories
Insights from our users, research, and more.
Research
Backed by research: All studies involving Vula
Research
Vula improves public-private collaboration
Research
Vula enables better decision-making
Research
Vula's public sector product increases capacity
Research
Vula improves coordination of care
Research
Vula enables faster response times
2.8 million+
Patient referrals sent
76+
Specialties
2.5k+
Public & private facilities
2k+
Patients per day
105
Health professional categories
44k+
Health professionals
"Vula simplifies the referral process so much. It's much easier to refer patients who can't be managed at a Primary Healthcare level."
Kamva-Qama Tembekile
Community Service Doctor
·
Eastern Cape
"Vula has improved my work, educated me on more complex plans being expressed, and the images are a bonus!"
Kate Pringle
Intern
·
Eastern Cape
"I just started as a comm serv psychologist at Khayelitsha Hospital. I was really impressed with how easy it makes referrals!"
Lisa Beasley
Psychologist
·
Western Cape
"Vula simplifies the referral process so much. It's much easier to refer patients who can't be managed at a Primary Healthcare level."
Kamva-Qama Tembekile
Community Service Doctor
·
Eastern Cape
"Vula has improved my work, educated me on more complex plans being expressed, and the images are a bonus!"
Kate Pringle
Intern
·
Eastern Cape
"I just started as a comm serv psychologist at Khayelitsha Hospital. I was really impressed with how easy it makes referrals!"
Lisa Beasley
Psychologist
·
Western Cape
Testimonials
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
"A real lifesaver app. I absolutely love it."
Dr Willem Smith
South Africa
“Vula makes it easy and accessible to consult doctors from all disciplines. This ensures that patients are reviewed for all their pathologies even if it is not their presenting complaint.”
Dr A K M Nowshad
South Africa
“Vula is a real game changer for promoting public-private mix.”
Jody Boffa
South Africa
“I am absolutely in love with the Vula app. My patient thyroid cancer was diagnosed and operated on all within a space of 3 months.“
Dr I Domingo
South Africa
“…Vula has revolutionized the way our department operates and receives referrals. Its interface is user-friendly, and its collaboration features are seamless. The app's high-quality images and record-keeping capabilities have raised our patient care to new levels.
Pelonomi Hospital Orthopaedics
South Africa
“Vula has been a game changer for managing our psychiatric referrals… great for my doctors’ mental health!
But the detailed stats are the cherry on the top – we can monitor, manage, and improve our service based on regular and accurate data! Thank you, Team Vula.
Prof S Ramlall
South Africa
"It allows asynchronous communication between health care providers at different levels of care which improves the type of feedback given…"
Caledon Team
South Africa
Our story: Awards and milestones
Dr William Mapham
MBChB DipOphth FCOphth
CEO & Founder
2025: FNB App of the Year and Best Health Solution Winner
2025: 2.5 million referrals
2024: 2 million referrals!
2024: Aspire Coronation Trust Changemaker Innovation Challenge - First runner up
2023: Horizon Prize for Rare Diseases - Winner
2023: Healthtech Hub Data for Health Innovation Challenge - Winner
2022: 1 million referrals
2021: Ranked by UNDP as one of The Top 4 Most Innovative Entrepreneurs in Healthcare
2020: Vital role in Covid-19 response
2019: MTN App of the year award for Best Health Solution
2017: Impumelelo Social Innovation - Platinum Award
2017: Growth, expansion, and research
2016: Clearly Vision Prize - First prize
2016: Amazon City on a Cloud - Finalist
2015: MTN App of The Year - Most Innovative App
2015: Western Cape Premier’s Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards - 2nd in Best Social Enterprise
2015: Sustainable Entrepreneurship Awards (Vienna, Austria) - 1st in Development and Service
2015: Public Service Innovation Awards - 2nd in Innovative Use of ICT for Effective Service Delivery
2015: African Entrepreneurship Awards (Morocco) - 1 of 6 prize winners
2015: Seed Award (Kenya) - Exceptional Social Start-up Enterprise
2014: DG Murray Trust Research Grant
2014: Fund for Innovation in Rural Research Grant
2014: Innovation Hub GAP ICT Competition - 2nd in ICT
2014: Draem International Social Entrepreneur Award
Late 2014: First referrals
2014: The Vula Mobile app is born
2013: SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards - 1st prize
2013: Shuttleworth Foundation Flash Grant
2013: Impumelelo Social Innovation Gold Award
2004: The catalyst
Download Vula
Download Vula