About Phila
"Phila" means "to live" or "to be well". We're building healthcare that reflects our nation's diversity.
Our Mission
Phila was founded with a simple but powerful mission: to bring quality healthcare to every South African, regardless of where they live.
We believe that access to healthcare shouldn't depend on your proximity to a city or your ability to take time off work. Through telemedicine, we're removing barriers that have kept millions from receiving the care they deserve.
Our Values
These core principles guide everything we do and every decision we make.
Access for All
Healthcare should be accessible to everyone—from city centres to rural villages. We're committed to reaching underserved communities across South Africa.
Clinical Excellence
Every doctor on our platform is HPCSA-verified. We maintain the highest standards of clinical governance and patient safety.
Cultural Sensitivity
We understand that healthcare works best when delivered with cultural awareness and respect for diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Innovation with Integrity
We use AI to support clinical decisions, never replace them. Technology enhances our doctors' capabilities while preserving their autonomy.
Our Brand Promise: Access, Efficiency, and Quality
Phila was built on three fundamental pillars that guide everything we do. These aren't just values on a website — they're commitments we make to every patient, every day, in every consultation across South Africa.
Access
Healthcare should never depend on where you live or how far you can travel. Phila breaks down geographical barriers, bringing fulltime employed, registered HPCSA doctors to anyone with a mobile phone connection. Whether you're a taxi driver working long hours in Johannesburg, a farmworker in the Eastern Cape, or a busy professional in Durban, quality medical care is equally accessible to all South Africans.
Efficiency
Your time matters. Our intelligent triage system asks the right questions to understand your symptoms, then matches you with the most appropriate doctor — all within minutes, not hours. No more taking a full day off work to sit in a waiting room. No more missing important family time. Healthcare that respects your schedule and gets you back to living well, faster.
Quality
Every doctor on Phila is a fulltime employee, fully registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), and follows established clinical protocols. Our fulltime employed practitioners are not contractors or part-time consultants — they are dedicated team members committed to providing consistent, quality care. Our AI technology supports clinicians by providing preliminary information, but never replaces their professional judgement. You receive the same standard of care you'd expect in a face-to-face consultation — with the added convenience of digital health records and follow-up reminders.
Trust, Clinical Governance, and Your Safety
Your health and safety are paramount. Phila operates within South Africa's strict regulatory framework for telemedicine, and we've built robust clinical governance processes that protect both patients and doctors. Transparency and accountability guide everything we do.
HPCSA-Verified Clinicians
Every doctor practising on Phila is fully registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and verified during our rigorous onboarding process. We check qualifications, registration status, and professional standing before any clinician joins our platform. You can view your doctor's HPCSA registration number and qualifications before your consultation. We maintain ongoing compliance monitoring to ensure all clinicians meet professional standards throughout their time with Phila.
AI Supports, Doctors Decide
Our artificial intelligence technology plays a specific, limited role: it helps triage symptoms, estimates certain vitals, and provides preliminary information to support doctors. However, AI never makes clinical decisions or diagnoses. Every diagnosis, treatment plan, prescription, and medical decision is made by a qualified doctor using their professional judgement and training. AI is a decision-support tool only, designed to make consultations more efficient without compromising clinical autonomy.
Full Regulatory Alignment
Phila operates in strict accordance with South African telemedicine guidelines and regulations. We comply with HPCSA guidelines on telemedicine practice, including appropriate patient assessment, documentation standards, and limitations of remote care. Our platform includes built-in safety protocols that flag conditions requiring in-person examination. Doctors are trained to recognise "red flag" symptoms and provide clear guidance when emergency care or face-to-face consultation is necessary.
Privacy, Security, and Data Protection
Your health information is protected under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). All patient data is encrypted, stored securely within South Africa, and accessible only to you and your treating clinicians. We maintain comprehensive audit trails for accountability and quality assurance. Your data is never sold or shared with third parties for marketing purposes. You control your health records and can download or delete your information at any time.
Phila is guided by a diverse board of directors with expertise in healthcare, governance, finance, and technology. Our leadership team brings decades of combined experience in building sustainable, ethical healthcare solutions.
Meet Our Board of Directors →Ready to Experience Phila?
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