Healer and improving the level of health through the provision of online medical services

Shafajo is one of Startup which are active in the hot market of health services. Ideas Initially, Shafajo created a directory of doctors and medical centers, which, of course, has changed in interaction with users and after creating user recognition. Currently, in addition to the appointment system, Shafajo also offers services such as diet counseling, test reader, and online medical webinars. Ecomotive had a conversation with Sogol Sabetfar, the founder of this startup, which he shares with you, dear readers.

How did you enter the world of startups?

I am a computer graduate from al-Zahra University and as soon as I finish my studies, accelerator I met Mapes. MAPS organizes training courses for people and from there, I got infected with the startup environment. Mapes suggested us to study in the field of medicine, and we proposed a problem and came up with the idea of ​​a healer.

Startup healer, started working in the field of health since 1992; But Shafajo’s initial idea was very different from the current form of this startup. Currently, Shafajo includes a directory of doctors and medical centers that are fully validated by our team. Profiles for doctors and medical centers are embedded in it, which includes their contact information and specifications, and in addition to all this, the online appointment service is also available to users.

A section has been compiled under the title of Shafajo magazine, whose main goal is to raise people’s awareness of diseases, their treatment and prevention. So far, we have translated and published about 2000 articles from reliable international sources, and we also had good visits.

Our attention was initially on the community of doctors; But little by little, we turned our attention more to the users. Currently, three services are provided in Shafajo:

• Online diet where users register their diet request and the nutritionist provides them with the right diet according to their conditions. One of the unique features of this diet is that it fits the family table; It means that special and complex foods do not fit inside it.
• The test reader in which users send us a photo of their test results, and this answer is translated into Farsi by our laboratory and blood science experts, and they are referred to the relevant specialist to continue the treatment process. The advantages of this service include high response speed, no need to see a doctor in person, cost reduction, etc.
• A medical webinar that is slightly different from its common concept. Thus, in the online meetings that are planned on a specific topic, the doctor answers 10 common questions, and if the participants did not receive the answer to their question, they can ask the doctor directly.

What was the original idea that you changed?

It was supposed to be just the directory of doctors and medical centers. We had seen a foreign example and after examining Iran’s health system and their differences, we made some changes. Finally, we planned to add only the queue system to it.

So far, Shafajo has been supported by what collections?

As I said, we started our work in MAPS accelerator and we are still working with them; Because they are considered shareholders of the group. Mapes has spent 5 years on Shafajo and owns a significant percentage of its shares. We are currently busy attracting capital to develop our market.

Shafajo has been stationed in this center for almost 7 months. There were two main reasons for settling in this center: First, we had used the MAPS network and facilities enough and we had to enter a new network. Second, the MAPS office was in Tajrish and it was very difficult for the team members to go there. Therefore, considering the location of Samsung Technology Center – Amirkabir in the city center, we chose this center. Of course, this center has other advantages. For example, he held a course on marketing mentorThey brought good ones that we used. They also provide us with an amount under the title of credit, which was very useful for us in some cases.

What is your role in Shafajo? How has the team been?

My education was in the computer field and I used to program at first; But after a while we saw that the number of programmers increased, so I do whatever else is left on the floor. Other team members do the same. In general, business and financial discussions are prioritized for implementation.

The team has changed several times since 1992, and one of our main challenges has been the issue of forming a cohesive team and maintaining human resources. Other co-founders left the team and only I remained. It should be noted that financial conditions are very influential in the process of continuing the work of a startup, and people sometimes prefer to have an employee job with a fixed salary. Another issue is the issue of transparency; It means that team members can easily share problems with each other and problems do not pile up.

What competitors does Shafajo have?

There are many startups in the health field and unfortunately, those who work in these startups think that they are competing with each other; While every startup solves a problem and they are different. We are trying to dispel this perception and increase synergy in this space. But in general, for example, there are many startups operating in the field of scheduling, and there is no website that provides all services at once.

Advantage competitive You Ratio To this Competitors What is?

First, as mentioned, we offer a diverse portfolio of services that others do not offer. The second is the very good network of Shafajo in the Iranian health market, and the third is the technology that Shafajo currently uses, which is among the very good and suitable technologies in this field.

Do you have a solution to create synergy between these startups?

Yes, I personally try very hard, of course, it has been much better recently; But in the beginning, unfortunately, there was a lot of talk about this issue; But everything remains at the same level of talk and people really didn’t like this synergy to happen. For example, there was always concern about data and information and the leaking of plans and programs.

Since the end of last year, we have taken two steps: we have increased and improved our interactions with the Ministry of Health and now we are forming a working group in the Ministry of Health in the field of health, the purpose of which is to help startups to facilitate licensing and communication. to each other and this working group has started working with a memorandum of understanding signed by the Ministry of Health and the National Union of Virtual Businesses. It is also necessary to mention that all the efforts of startups in the field of health have been directed towards synergy and providing common solutions.

At System turnThegiving how One user particle for direct object To One Doctor referral mayThegive

We do this in two ways:

First, the secretary manages the work and has full access to the panel and other channels and manages this work.

Second, the doctor gives part of his daily time to the healer and the secretary does not interfere in this appointment.

At this System the watchTheI see how Specified mayThebecome?

It depends on the time the doctor sets for each visit. But usually we set a time every half hour.

Bad promise physicians, To Validity You damage come in notTheslow?

Currently, we interact directly with both the secretary and the patient, and we coordinate with both again before the appointment. But in general, there are some issues that are beyond our control.

Interactions Financial You With physicians How Is?

Profiles are shared; This means that doctors can become members of our system for 6 months or 1 year.

With users how about

The appointment service is completely free; But the rest of the services include a small fee.

With Attention To Reproducibility Low serviceTheHi related To AreaTheY Health, What a solution To keep your audience ToTheas continuous you have?

We are trying to do this by using new and attractive services as well as disease prevention programs. For example, and according to the feedback we received, issues related to the diet have been among the most interesting and popular topics.

Have you encountered legal problems in your interactions?

Since there has never been any startup in the field of health, naturally no law has been established in this field. The Ministry of Health has also announced that startups in the health sector do not need to obtain a license from the Ministry of Health, but the working group of startups in the health sector, which was formed in the National Union of Virtual Businesses, is discussing the determination of regulations and frameworks for startups. can carry out their work based on a written regulation.

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