Health Department congratulates South African health innovator for wining global prestigious prize
The Department of Health congratulates the South African entrepreneur, Mr Neo Hutiri for putting the country on the map through his globally recognised medicine-dispensing innovation which won him a major award by the UK’s Royal Academy of Engineering in London this week.
Mr Neo Hutiri invented Pelebox, known as Smart Locker to improve convenience and access to life-saving chronic medication for stable patients with chronic diseases mostly in under-serviced communities. His innovation work contributes to government`s broader strategy to improve treatment adherence through Centralised Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme by providing an alternative mechanism to improve access to medicine for stable patients without going to health facilities.
Through his innovation, medicine is pre-packed and loaded into the safe box placed public spaces which a patient can open with a system-generated code received via SMS.
Over 1,7 million out of 2,3 million patients enrolled on CCMDD programme have opted to collect their chronic medication through external pick-up points and other contracted collection sites such as selected post office branches, private pharmacies and retailers.
The medicine is prepared by trained pharmacists at medical depots and distributed via the dedicated courier companies with experience of handling medical products to designated collection points closer to homes or workplaces of the patients.
CCMDD is a free, safe and convenient service which has played an important role during the lockdown imposed by COVID-19 pandemic, to support patients with chronic diseases who were unable to collect their medication in facilities in-person.
The department urges all eligible stable patients ( to consider enrolling on this programme at the nearest health facility to enjoy the benefits which include cutting waiting times and travel costs to the health facilities just to collect medication.
Media enquiries:
Foster Mohale
Cell: 072 432 3792
E-mail: Foster.mohale@health.gov.za
Doctor Tshwale
Cell: 063 657 8487
E-mail: Doctor.Tshwale@health.gov.za
