In a strategic move to address the healthcare needs of the African diaspora, Nigerian healthcare startup, Wellahealth, has unveiled its subsidiary, HealthSend Africa, in Kenya. This expansion, following the June 2023 launch of HealthSend Africa in Nigeria, underscores the company’s commitment to enhancing access to quality healthcare services for Africans living abroad.
The decision to enter the Kenyan market was driven by the recognition of a sizable and significant community of Kenyans abroad facing healthcare challenges similar to those experienced in Nigeria. HealthSend Africa also boasts robust connections within Kenya’s local health and technology ecosystems. The platform offers a convenient solution for Nigerians and Kenyans living abroad, enabling them to fund a website wallet and pay for various healthcare services for their family members in both Nigeria and Kenya. The reach extends to African diaspora communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
The HealthSend Team emphasized their commitment to facilitating access to healthcare services, stating, “We have willing partners helping us make it easier for the loved ones of Kenyans living in the diaspora. After our launch in Nigeria, some Kenyans living abroad kept asking when we would launch in their country. We are now delighted to go live in Kenya to serve them.”
The establishment of HealthSend Africa aligns with the vision of Neto Ikpeme, CEO of WellaHealth. His mission is to empower Africans living abroad to ensure their families have access to high-quality medications and care. Furthermore, the platform harnesses the immense potential of the African diaspora to improve healthcare access.
Nigerians who have relocated can now easily purchase medicines, health plans, and health insurance for their loved ones in Nigeria. Meanwhile, in Kenya, the platform offers services related to prescription medication purchases for chronic illnesses. HealthSend Africa is set to provide the immigrant community’s loved ones in Kenya with access to health plans, including health insurance. The company has ambitious plans to become a pan-African healthcare provider, with intentions to expand into new markets across the continent while concurrently strengthening its influence in Nigeria and Kenya. This expansion marks a significant step towards bridging the healthcare gap for the African diaspora.
