Telemedicine Consent
Informed consent for remote consultations via the Ukuqala Platform
This consent is presented to patients before their first telemedicine consultation. It must be read and agreed to before a video or remote consultation can proceed.
What Is Telemedicine?
Telemedicine is the delivery of healthcare services using telecommunications technology — including video calls, secure messaging, and digital data exchange — to enable a healthcare provider to evaluate, diagnose, and treat a patient without physical presence.
On the Ukuqala Platform, telemedicine consultations take place via encrypted video call (Agora RTC) and secure messaging between you and a verified, licensed physician registered with the relevant national medical council.
How Your Consultation Works
- You connect via encrypted video with a licensed, Ukuqala-verified physician
- The physician reviews your symptoms, medical history, and any documents you have shared via your secure health vault
- The physician may ask you to describe symptoms, show a body area via camera, or provide vital signs if you have home equipment
- The physician may issue electronic prescriptions, referral letters, or medical certificates directly via the Platform with digital signatures and QR verification codes
- All consultation information is securely recorded in your encrypted medical record
Benefits of Telemedicine
Access to verified physicians without travel
Consultations from home, work, or any location
Faster access to prescriptions and referrals
Continuous digital medical record
Access to specialist consultations across distances
Reduced exposure to infectious illness in waiting rooms
Risks, Limitations, and Alternatives
No Physical Examination
The physician cannot physically examine or palpate your body, use physical instruments in person, or observe signs not visible via video. This may limit assessment in certain circumstances.
Technology Limitations
Consultations depend on stable internet and functional equipment. In the event of technical failure, your consultation may be disrupted, delayed, or rescheduled.
Diagnostic Limitations
Certain conditions require in-person evaluation, laboratory investigations, or diagnostic imaging. The physician will refer you for in-person care where telemedicine is insufficient.
Prescription Limitations
Certain medications and controlled substances may require an in-person consultation before prescription, in accordance with applicable law.
Right to In-Person Care
You retain the right, at any time, to decline telemedicine and request in-person care instead.
Emergency Situations
Telemedicine is NOT appropriate for medical emergencies. If you experience a life-threatening symptom, end this consultation immediately and call your national emergency number.
Cameroon
15 · 117 · 18
Nigeria
112
Kenya
999 · 112
South Africa
10177 · 112
Ghana
193 · 112
Data Collection, Storage, and Confidentiality
What Is Collected
Consultation metadata (date, time, duration), clinical information shared during the consultation, electronic prescriptions and certificates generated, and documents you share via your health vault.
How It Is Stored
All consultation data is stored in AES-256 encrypted format in your secure patient medical record, retained for a minimum of 10 years in compliance with Cameroon Law No. 2010/012. It is never sold to third parties.
Video Recording
Your consultation is not recorded by default. If a physician requests to record for specific clinical or training purposes, you will be asked for separate, explicit consent. You may refuse without affecting your care.
AI Processing
Symptom information may be processed by AI (Mistral AI) to generate clinical suggestions for physician review. This is conducted on anonymised data where technically feasible. The AI does not communicate directly with you.
Confidentiality Exceptions
Information remains confidential except for: your explicit consent to share with another provider; a legal obligation (e.g., mandatory disease notification to MINSANTE); or a genuine risk of serious harm to yourself or others.
Your Rights During and After Consultation
Ask questions and receive clear explanations at any time
Request a second opinion from another physician
Request a referral for in-person care at any time
Access your complete consultation record via your health vault
Correct any inaccurate information in your record
Withdraw consent and end the consultation at any time without penalty
Request a different physician for future consultations
File a complaint with the physician's regulatory body or with Ukuqala
Consent Acknowledgement
By clicking “I Agree” or proceeding with a telemedicine consultation on the Ukuqala Platform, you confirm each of the following:
- I have read and understood this Telemedicine Informed Consent in its entirety.
- I understand the benefits, risks, and limitations of telemedicine as described above.
- I consent to telemedicine consultation with a verified licensed physician via the Ukuqala Platform.
- I understand that my consultation data will be stored securely in my encrypted medical record.
- I understand that my consultation is NOT being recorded unless I separately and explicitly consent to recording.
- I understand that the Platform uses AI tools to assist the physician, and that the physician is solely responsible for all clinical decisions.
- I understand that telemedicine is not an emergency service and I know what to do in a medical emergency.
- I understand that I may withdraw this consent at any time via account settings or by contacting [email protected].
This consent is valid for all subsequent telemedicine consultations on the Ukuqala Platform unless explicitly revoked. Revoke at any time via your account settings.
This Telemedicine Informed Consent forms part of the Ukuqala Terms of Service. It must be read alongside the Privacy Policy, Medical Disclaimer, and AI Disclosure. Effective 1 May 2026 · Version 1.0