Digital Health: The Future of Accessible and Affordable Healthcare for Africa

RapidMedicare addresses the critical issue of limited access to primary healthcare services in Nigeria, particularly in underserved areas. Only about 20% of the 30,000 Primary Healthcare facilities across Nigeria are fully functional – due to government neglect, underfunding, very few private players and limited technology innovation in the health sector. Despite the vital role this system plays in our health sector, most of the facilities cannot even provide essential primary healthcare services; thus creating huge gap in access to essential healthcare services. With these deficiencies, millions of Nigerians lack access to essential healthcare services, leading to high cost of healthcare delivery, impending timely intervention of preventable diseases, increasing the risk of serious illness and increasing the rapid spread of preventable diseases

At RapidMedicare we're building Uber for doctors to enhance easy and quick access to primary healthcare services. It is an application that connect patient to vital health care services through, video conference consultations, remote health monitoring, electronic health record storage and online drug dispensation.

Our platform, enables patient to easily schedule real-time virtual appointments with licensed doctors, access their medical records, and receive personalized medical care from the comfort of their homes. RapidMedicare facilitates seamless management of patient health records, eliminating the challenges associated with fragmented and paper-based systems and enables healthcare providers to make informed decisions. It consolidates telehealth consultations, EHR management, medication reminders, and streamlined care into a single, user-friendly platform, eliminating the need for multiple applications.

How it Works (Completed Features):

Doctors sign up to offer consultations, upload their license, valid ID and passport, get authenticated, contributing to the expansion of our medical network.
Patients sign up and book appointments with available doctor, (searching a provider based on specialty, years of experience, price of services, time availability, and rating) make secure payments, upload vitals, and initiate video consultations with the doctor.
Doctors can diagnose medical conditions, provide prescriptions, and collaborate with pharmacists for seamless medication dispensation.
Upon successful consultation, patient electronic health record is securely stored in the cloud and reference could be made to them in subsequent consultation. In addition, this electronic health record is accessible anytime, anywhere by the doctor  or another doctor upon being granted permission to access them by the patient.
As compared to in-person care, it increases patient convenience by 39%; shortened waiting time by 30%; enhances specific care by 17%; remove transportation barrier by 16%; lower cost of healthcare delivery by 13%;  increase comfort by 10%; increase healthcare quality by 8%; and increase other benefits by 22%.

With 65.3% of primary health centers in need of revitalization in Nigeria, our potential market is vast. The addressable market includes millions of Nigerians seeking accessible, affordable and quality healthcare services, providing substantial room for growth. It also serves healthcare providers, including doctors and pharmacists, who require effective tools to coordinate care and maintain patient records. Extensive market research and validation highlight the high demand for telemedicine services. Recent survey indicate that over 70% of respondents express a willingness to use virtual healthcare platforms like RapidMedicare due to convenience and expanded access to healthcare professionals.

Healthtech in Africa is forecast to reach a market value of over US$11 billion by 2025, serving 1.4 billion people, so even small improvements in healthcare delivery stand to have a huge impact. The Healthcare Providers Market in Nigeria alone is estimated to be valued at $35.9 Billion by 2025. In 2020, healthtech startups across the continent raised less than $100 million, but that number increased to $370 million in 2021, according to reports on the African VC landscape.

While the healthtech industry makes up less than 10% of total funding, big rounds in 2022 and 2023 from startups (such as Vezeeta, Helium Health, 54gene, mPharma, Africa Health Holdings and Reliance Health) mean African healthtech is coming of age buoyed by market drivers such as the pandemic, population size, data analytics, and consumer-centricity.

Our team is our greatest asset, born from different background, with domain expertise spanning from computer science, engineering and software engineering, cloud infrastructure, cyber security, medicine, business administration, marketing and sales, pharmacy, finance among others. Members of the team have worked as senior managers, in companies like Microsoft, AWS, Salesforce, Oracle, Bayer, and Boeing. The significance of this is found in the words of Bill Gates which says, "the best business decisions really have to do with picking people".

Ruma Nayak, MSC (Board Chairman and CGO): Over 13 years of experience in leading technology solutions delivery, strategy, and innovation for large-scale, complex, companies. Cloud Solutions Delivery Expert. Formerly Senior Manager at Salesforce, Oracle, AWS and currently Senior Customer Success Account Manager, Microsoft, Boston.

Ekele Augustine (CEO): He is a final year student dentist. Over 7 years experience in business administration and customer success. Venture Growth Lead at Expert Dojo. Has passed through various accelerator programs,secured grants from the Federal Government of Nigeria to expand technology adoption in business.

Solomon Habu (CTO): Solomon is a graduate of computer science and mathematics. He is a senior frontend software engineer, and has 8 years work experience with various firms including building software technologies for the Nigerian government. He owns Sulphil Hub where he teaches software engineering and also offers co-working space for software engineers.

Dr. Eekiel Efeobhokhan:He is a pharmacist and a University lecturer. He is head of pharmacy services at RapidMedicare and oversees the delivery, integration, engagement and improvement of pharmacy providers at RapidMedicare. He has over 5 years experience in working in the pharmacy industry using modern technology.

Chidimma Agbasi, MBA (Acting CFO): More than 12 years experience in financial strategy, planning, projection, forecasting and audit. Formerly senior manager at, Boeing, QIAGEN,Bayer, and currently Finance Manager at Microsoft, Germany

RapidMedicare is currently at the pilot stage for several reasons:

1. Product Development: We have developed a functional prototype of our telemedicine platform for both Android and iOS devices. However, before fully launching the platform to a wider audience, we believe it is essential to conduct a pilot program to test its effectiveness, usability, and scalability in a real-world setting.

2. User Testing: We want to gather feedback from users, including patients and healthcare providers, to understand their needs, preferences, and pain points when using our platform. By conducting a pilot program, we can engage with a select group of users to test the platform's features, gather insights, and identify areas for improvement.

3. Regulatory Compliance: Before scaling our operations, we need to ensure that our telemedicine platform complies with regulatory requirements and standards, both locally and internationally. Conducting a pilot program allows us to assess any regulatory challenges, address compliance issues, and ensure that our platform meets the necessary legal and ethical standards.

4. Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging with key stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, regulatory agencies, and potential partners, is crucial for the success of our telemedicine platform. The pilot stage provides an opportunity to build relationships, establish trust, and garner support from stakeholders, laying the foundation for future collaboration and growth.

5. Proof of Concept: The pilot stage serves as a proof of concept for RapidMedicare, demonstrating the feasibility and potential impact of our telemedicine solution. By successfully conducting a pilot program and demonstrating positive outcomes, we can attract investors, secure funding, and pave the way for broader adoption and scalability.

We are applying to Solve because we believe in its mission to connect Solver teams with partners who can help advance their solutions through both monetary and non-monetary support. Specifically, we see several areas where Solve can provide invaluable assistance in overcoming barriers to our success:

1. Financial Barriers: As a growing telemedicine startup, securing sufficient funding is crucial for our expansion and sustainability. Solve can help connect us with potential investors, philanthropic organizations, and grant opportunities to access the funding we need to scale our operations and reach more underserved communities.

2. Technical Barriers: Developing and maintaining a robust telemedicine platform requires continuous innovation and technical expertise. Solve can provide access to technical resources, mentorship, and guidance from industry experts to help us enhance our platform's functionality, security, and user experience.

3. Legal and Regulatory Barriers: Navigating complex legal and regulatory frameworks, especially in the healthcare industry, can be challenging for startups like ours. Solve can connect us with legal experts and regulatory advisors who can provide insights, guidance, and assistance in ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

4. Cultural Barriers: Addressing cultural barriers and fostering inclusivity and diversity within our team and user base is essential for our success. Solve can support us in developing culturally sensitive approaches to healthcare delivery, building partnerships with community organizations, and promoting diversity and inclusion within our organization.

5. Market Barriers: RapidMedicare operates in a rapidly evolving healthcare market with unique challenges and opportunities. Solve can help us navigate market dynamics, identify emerging trends and opportunities, and connect us with potential partners, customers, and collaborators to expand our reach and impact.

We are excited about the opportunity to collaborate with Solve and its partners to accelerate our impact and reach our goals.

Full-time, 6

Part-time, 5

Contractors , 5

We have been building this officially since 2021. We tested and iterated key features requested by our customers 

At RapidMedicare, we are committed to fostering a culture of equity and inclusion within our organization and the communities we serve. Equity, for us, means providing equal access to opportunity and advancement for all members of our team, regardless of background or identity. We recognize that equality and fairness alone are not enough to address systemic disparities. Therefore, we strive to create equitable environments by identifying and eliminating unique and systemic barriers that have historically prevented the full participation of marginalized groups.

Inclusion is a fundamental aspect of our approach. We believe in creating environments where all individuals feel welcomed, respected, supported, and valued. This means actively seeking out diverse perspectives and voices, ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table, and fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and mutual respect. For example, 40% of our administrative team are females.

By prioritizing equity and inclusion in everything we do, from hiring practices to product development and community engagement, we are working towards a future where healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic.

Our business model at RapidMedicare revolves around providing accessible and affordable healthcare through our telemedicine platform. Here's an overview of our key revenue streams and how we generate income:

1. Transaction Fees: We charge 20% commission for all consultation done by the doctor, while 80% of goes to the doctor. While we charge 5% commission for every drug sold by the pharmacy on RapidMedicare .

2. Subscription Plans: We offer subscription plans for patients who require regular access to healthcare services. These plans provide unlimited consultations or a set number of consultations per month for a fixed fee.

3. Partnered Services: We collaborate with healthcare institutions, pharmaceutical companies, insurance providers, and other stakeholders in the healthcare industry to offer additional services on our platform. These partnerships may include sponsored content, targeted advertising, or premium features for users.

4. Data Analytics: We aggregate and analyze anonymized data from user interactions on our platform to provide insights and trends to healthcare providers, researchers, and other interested parties. These data analytics services are offered on a subscription basis or through one-time purchases.

5. Telemedicine Infrastructure: We provide telemedicine infrastructure and technology solutions to healthcare organizations looking to implement telehealth services. This includes white-labeling our platform, customizing features, and providing technical support.

Our plan for achieving financial sustainability revolves around several key strategies:

1. Diversification of Revenue Streams: We aim to diversify our revenue streams beyond just consultation fees. This includes exploring partnerships with healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders in the healthcare industry. By offering additional services such as data analytics, telemedicine infrastructure, and targeted advertising, we can generate multiple sources of income.

2. Scalability: We focus on scalability by expanding our user base and reaching new markets. This involves investing in marketing and outreach efforts to attract more users to our platform. As our user base grows, so does our potential for revenue generation.

3. Cost Optimization: We continuously evaluate our expenses and look for ways to optimize costs without compromising on quality. This includes streamlining our operations, negotiating better deals with vendors, and leveraging technology to automate repetitive tasks.

4. Long-term Partnerships: Building long-term partnerships with healthcare institutions, insurance companies, and government agencies is crucial for our financial sustainability. These partnerships can provide steady revenue streams and access to additional resources.

Evidence of the success of our financial sustainability plan is seen in several key metrics:

1. Revenue Growth: We track our revenue growth over time to ensure that our efforts are yielding positive results. A steady increase in revenue indicates that our business model is effective and sustainable.

2. Profitability: We monitor our profitability closely to ensure that we are generating enough revenue to cover our expenses and achieve a healthy profit margin. Consistent profitability is a sign that our financial sustainability plan is working as intended.

3. Customer Retention: High customer retention rates indicate that our users are satisfied with our services and see value in continuing to use our platform. This leads to recurring revenue and long-term financial stability.

4. Investor Confidence: Positive feedback from investors and stakeholders is another indicator of the success of our financial sustainability plan. It shows that external parties believe in our business model and growth potential, which can lead to additional funding and support.