Let me tell you about hayfever season.
Every year, same story. My nose starts running, my eyes go red, and I spend two weeks being mildly miserable until I get back on my antihistamine prescription. This year I ran out and needed a repeat script. That’s it. A script I’ve had before, for a condition I’ve had for years.
And yet, the process to get it: book a GP appointment, wait three days for a slot, drive across town, sit in a waiting room for 45 minutes, see the doctor for ten minutes, drive home. R400 for the privilege. Half a day gone.
A friend of mine recently launched Medicus, an online doctor consultation service in South Africa, and I decided to try it for exactly this kind of situation. I was sceptical. I’m now a convert. Here’s why.
What Is an Online Doctor Consultation, Exactly?
Telemedicine (seeing a doctor via video call) has been around for years, but it’s only recently become genuinely accessible and practical for everyday South Africans. It’s legal, regulated by the HPCSA (Health Professions Council of South Africa), and when done properly, it’s just as thorough as an in-person visit for the right kinds of conditions.
With Medicus, you book a 20-minute video consultation with Dr Eltanin James, a fully HPCSA-registered GP. You join the call from your phone, tablet, or laptop. No app download needed. You talk. You get what you came for. And if it’s clinically appropriate, your prescription, sick note, or referral letter arrives by email shortly afterwards.
That’s it. You never left your couch.
Who Is This Actually For?
Online consultations aren’t for every situation. If you’re having chest pain, difficulty breathing, or any kind of emergency, please go to your nearest ER or call 10177.
But for the vast majority of everyday medical concerns? Telemedicine handles them perfectly well. Medicus specifically treats:
- Colds, flu, and bad coughs
- Hayfever and allergy management
- UTIs
- Skin conditions
- Upset stomach and digestive issues
- Chronic disease management
- Mental health consultations
- Script refills (like my hayfever prescription)
- Sick notes
- Specialist referrals
- General medical advice and preventative care
If you’ve ever driven across town and paid R600 to be told what you already knew, you’ll understand why this model makes sense for a lot of situations.
The Price Difference Is Significant
Private GP visits in South Africa vary, but R400 to R800 is typical, before you factor in petrol, parking, and the time you’ve burned.
Medicus charges R300. One flat fee. No hidden extras. That includes the consultation itself, plus any prescription, sick note, or referral letter that comes out of it. No medical aid required.
For my hayfever repeat script, I paid R300, spent 20 minutes on a video call, and had my prescription in my inbox the same morning. Compare that to my previous approach and it’s not even close.
A Bit About Dr James
Dr Eltanin James (MBChB, Stellenbosch University, 2022) worked in emergency rooms across multiple provinces before starting Medicus. Her reason for doing it is exactly what you’d hope:
“After working in emergency rooms, it became clear that healthcare is not equally accessible to all throughout our country. Medicus is my attempt to change that.”
She’s also focused on preventative care. A lot of the serious cases she saw in emergency rooms were conditions that could have been caught and treated early, if the patient had simply had easier access to a GP. A hayfever script that doesn’t get renewed because the process is too much of a hassle is a small example of that exact problem.
How a Medicus Booking Actually Works
- Go to medicusforme.co.za and pick a time slot. Weekdays and Saturdays are available.
- Pay R300 via PayFast – credit card, debit card, instant EFT, or SnapScan.
- Get a reminder email with your video link and access PIN.
- Join the call at your appointment time – directly in your browser, no downloads needed.
- Receive your documents by email shortly after the consultation.
No account creation. No waiting room. No traffic.
Is It Private and Secure?
Yes. Video calls are encrypted and not recorded. Only you and Dr James are in the consultation. Your personal information is handled in line with POPIA, and medical records are stored securely in the EU. There’s a consent form before each consultation, so everything is above board and on the record.
My Honest Take
I’ll be upfront: I’m writing this because a friend built something I actually think is good, and I want to support her. But I also wouldn’t write it if I didn’t mean it.
Medicus is properly registered, genuinely affordable, and run by a doctor who clearly cares about why she’s doing it. For a wide range of everyday health concerns, including the boring-but-necessary stuff like repeat prescriptions, it’s simply a better option than the alternative.
If you’ve been putting off seeing a doctor because it’s inconvenient or expensive, this is worth trying.
Book a consultation at medicusforme.co.za
Note: Medicus is not for medical emergencies. If you’re experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe injuries, or any life-threatening symptoms, call 10177 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.
I’m not a medical professional. This post reflects my personal experience and opinion. Always consult a registered doctor for medical advice, which is exactly what Medicus provides.
About the Author
Duncan Bonney is a swim coach and online marketing specialist based in South Africa. He runs Vineyard Swimming, a swim school in the Cape. Connect with him on LinkedIn.