Access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right for every individual. However, many regions, particularly in East Africa, face significant challenges in delivering adequate healthcare services to their populations.
Fortunately, a wave of innovation is sweeping across the region, with several health tech startups leveraging technology to bridge the gap and improve healthcare access.
Here, we’ve identified 12 innovative health tech startups that are transforming the healthcare landscape in East Africa and making a positive impact on the lives of millions.
Mydawa
Year Founded: 2017
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Mydawa is a telemedicine company dedicated to delivering quality affordable healthcare products and services for Africans. It utilizes technology to provide convenient and efficient access to authentic medication and healthcare products for consumers.
Mydawa aims to address the challenge of limited access to quality medication and healthcare services, particularly for people in remote and underserved areas. To achieve that, it operates an online platform that serves as a marketplace connecting pharmacies, patients, and healthcare providers.
A notable unique benefit the company’s product offers is how it assists patients manage their healthcare needs, enabling them to receive medication reminders and alerts. This feature greatly reduces the chances of missed doses, subsequently minimizing the risk of hospitalizations and other complications.
Mydawa serves a substantial number of patients and healthcare providers throughout the East African region. It actively works towards reducing healthcare disparities and enhancing the overall health of the African population.
Zuri Health
Year Founded: 2020
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Zuri Health is a telehealth company committed to expanding healthcare accessibility in Africa. The company empowers patients to manage their healthcare needs and access quality medical services through digital channels.
Zuri Health offers convenient and comprehensive healthcare services via its mobile app. Users can chat and consult with doctors, buy medications, book diagnostic tests, and secure an in-person appointment with a doctor all on the platform.
A notable benefit of Zuri Health’s services lies in its streamlining of the healthcare process enabling patients to access quality healthcare through multiple telecommunication channels. So, consumers can obtain first-level medical consultations via SMS, email, or phone call.
Zuri Health’s ultimate goal is to improve healthcare outcomes and promote wellness in Africa. The company currently serves a growing number of patients and healthcare providers, helping to reduce healthcare disparities and positively impact the health landscape in East Africa.
MedSource
Year Founded: 2017
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Medsource is a healthcare financier and medical services enabler redefining healthcare access in Africa. It operates a Med-Fin-Tech business model tailored to help users get the medical products they need easily.
MedSource aims to serve players across all levels of the healthcare products value chain. The company’s primary offering is a digital marketplace designed to connect healthcare product distributors and manufacturers in East Africa.
MedSource also offers users significant discounts on purchases, allowing up to double-digit savings on medicines for buyers. That way, they make health care not only accessible but also affordable for users.
Medsource currently serves a growing number of clinics, distributors, and healthcare providers, making a positive impact on the African health landscape. By leveraging telemedicine and fintech, the company is committed to making healthcare more accessible, convenient, and efficient for Africans.
Ilara Health
Year Founded: 2019
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Ilara Health is a leading medical product and solutions provider that equips medical professionals with the tools to provide adequate care for their patients. The company develops innovative tech solutions and devices to support healthcare providers in rural clinics across East Africa.
Ilara Health offers medical services providers AI-powered diagnostic devices to help improve their processes and results. It focuses primarily on peri-urban and rural centers where the availability of common diagnostic devices is very poor.
With the goal of improving the quality of healthcare diagnostics across the continent, Ilara Health has embarked on a project to develop Africa’s primary care ecosystem through a network of healthcare clinics. It currently has over 1500 partner clinics and its devices have been used by over 100k patients.
As a testament to its tremendous contributions to the African health ecosystem, Ilara Health was recently shortlisted among the finalists in the health tech category for the Africatechawards 2023.
Goodlife Pharmacy
Year Founded: 2013
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Goodlife Pharmacy is a telemedicine company improving healthcare access and delivery in East Africa. It operates as a digital storefront where users can easily procure pharmaceuticals and have them delivered to their doorsteps anywhere in Kenya and many parts of East Africa.
Goodlife Pharmacy operates with a goal to address the challenges of limited healthcare access, especially with the supply of pharmaceuticals in Africa. It leverages advanced technology to connect consumers with the products they need.
The company also offers a range of additional health management services including Blood Pressure and Body Mass Index monitoring, Vaccinations, Blood Glucose, and cholesterol testing, as well as Laboratory services in select locations.
Staying true to its mandate to make healthcare more accessible for consumers, the company currently caters to over 1.2 million customers with over 120 stores spread all around Kenya and Uganda.
Eden Care Medical
Year Founded: 2021
Location, Kigali, Rwanda
Eden Care Medical is a health insurer leveraging digital technology to bridge gaps in the African health insurance market. The company provides solutions to address the experiential issues and challenges individuals face while navigating health insurance systems in Africa
To achieve that, the company operates a digital platform where users can access a number of insurance products. The main advantage of the platform is it simplifies the health insurance process, making it easier for individuals to understand, select, and manage insurance plans.
The product is primarily targeted toward employers, giving them a consolidated platform to manage all their employees’ health and wellness needs. However, it also leverages data to understand customers’ preferences and provide personalized healthcare underwriting for them.
Eden Care Medical is backed by two of the largest reinsurers in Africa Zep Re and Africa Re. And while it’s fundamentally an insurtech company, its primary focus on health and medical services hybridizes it into a health-insurtech outlet making it a significant contributor to the East African healthcare industry.
Tibu Health
Year Founded: 2018
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Tibu Health is a pioneering healthcare startup dedicated to improving access to quality medical care in Africa. The company aims to make it easier for Africans to obtain excellent healthcare services and products regardless of their location.
Tibu Health combines healthcare with omnichannel logistics to provide consumers with high-quality medical services in real time wherever they are. Tibu’s solution is channeled towards eliminating lengthy waiting times, long queues, and other inefficiencies that cause delays in health service provisions in the African healthcare system.
Tibu delivers several forms of healthcare services from Medicine, Consultations to Home Care Services, Tests, and Diagnostics. Prospective patients can access all these services through any of the company’s websites, mobile app, and email or by sending an SMS.
Tibu Health is committed to empowering individuals with the tools and support they need to prioritize their health and well-being in today’s dynamic world. By integrating essential healthcare services into holistic, patient-centric programs, Tibu Health is redefining the landscape of medical access in Africa.
Medikea
Year Founded: 2020
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Medikea is an innovative healthcare setup implementing technological solutions to transform medical care administration in Africa. It provides a holistic healthcare ecosystem allowing consumers to tailor the services to their specific needs.
The company operates a virtual subscription-based telemedicine business model that also includes provisions for in-person care. It facilitates its services through its website, an intuitive mobile application, and a network of asset-light clinics. Primarily, Medikea seamlessly connects users with pharmacies, clinics, and medical practitioners to conveniently manage their health and well-being.
Whether it’s a remote consultation or an in-person visit, the platform streamlines the process, guaranteeing a smooth and efficient healthcare journey.
Medikea has an unwavering commitment to expanding healthcare accessibility, particularly to the over 500m Africans struggling to access basic health commodities on the continent.
Babylon Health Rwanda
Year Founded: 2016
Location: Kigali, Rwanda
Babylon Health Rwanda is a telemedicine company focused on transforming healthcare access and delivery in different parts of Africa. The startup combines innovative technology with the experience and knowledge of experts to improve medical services distribution.
Locally known as Babyl, the company enables locals to receive medical consultations via their mobile devices. The company has created solutions to circumnavigate the challenge of low smartphone penetration in Rwanda which makes it difficult for a large percentage of the population to access telehealth services. Its solution enables users to access digital health services without using smart devices.
Users only need to call or send an SMS to connect with doctors or nurses on standby and obtain quality telemedicine services. But to access this provision, they must first register via a USSD code on Babyl’s website.
Babyl has partnered with the Rwandan government to digitize the country’s healthcare system. The partnership which will last for 10 years will see the company empower several health centers and improve the way patients receive care in the country.
Wazi
Year Founded: 2018
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Wazi is a digital mental health service dedicated to transforming the way individuals access and experience high-quality mental healthcare. The company connects patients with virtual therapy services and professionals.
Wazi operates a digital platform where patients can experience therapy sessions with professional therapists virtually from anywhere in the world. The platform allows users to keep anonymity if they wish. As such, users can maintain their privacy while undergoing therapy,
For patients who may not be comfortable divulging their secrets to humans, the company’s platform features chatbots that can handle basic therapy sessions.
In its unwavering commitment to expanding mental healthcare accessibility, Wazi also collaborates with leading mental health organizations and professionals. It uses its intuitive mobile application to connect users with the help they need to achieve sound mental health.
Lifesten Health
Year Founded: 2021
Location: Kigali Rwanda
Lifesten Health is a health tracking and management company committed to helping Africans lead healthy lifestyles. It offers incentivized wellness programs designed to help users to hit their health goals in an exciting and rewarding manner.
Lifesten Health is focused on empowering users to take control of their health, diet, and lifestyle. They design exciting wellness programs, challenges, and healthy living tips to push users to hit their health targets. The company takes a holistic approach to health covering everything from physical fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness to mental health considerations.
Lifesten facilitates its services through its flagship health app. This product serves as a digital companion for users through which they can manage their daily activities, set healthy goals, track their progress, and earn rewards for hitting their targets.
Lifesten Health is committed to promoting healthy living among Africans/ So, continually partners with top brands and innovators to deploy solutions that foster wellness and mindfulness.
Turaco
Year Founded: 2019
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Turaco is a digital micro-health insurance provider creating inclusive underwriting solutions for Africans. It provides affordable health insurance products for low-income earners who have been largely underserved by traditional insurers.
Turaco operates a digital platform where users can sign up for micro health insurance with low premiums. The platform offers streamlined access to several financial products designed to indemnify low-income earners against health risks.
At the core of its operations, Turaco hopes to make insurance accessible to people everywhere regardless of their socioeconomic status. It’s set on a mission to act as a safety net, protecting Africans from the shock of health-related financial responsibilities
The company is currently amping up efforts to distribute its products through partnerships with leading businesses in Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria.
