Rivia, a pioneering startup founded by two-time entrepreneur Isidore Kpotufe, has officially launched its operations in Ghana. Focused on collaborating with clinics to elevate service quality in the healthcare sector, Rivia seeks to offer patients a contemporary healthcare experience. The startup facilitates this by providing loans to partner clinics for infrastructure upgrades and inventory enhancement.
In addition to financial support, Rivia equips partner clinics with a comprehensive hospital management system. This system manages patient appointments and bookings, record-keeping, payment collection, and various administrative tasks within the healthcare facility.
A distinctive feature of Rivia is the establishment of “Rivia Standards,” a 10-point patient-centric quality guideline that all partner clinics must adhere to. In return for its services, Rivia collects a commission from the monthly revenue of each partner clinic. Furthermore, clinics within the Rivia network prominently display their affiliation through co-branding.
Healthcare Landscape by the Numbers
The private healthcare spending across Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya has witnessed significant growth, surging from $20 billion in 2016 to $45 billion in 2023, marking a remarkable 125% increase over seven years. With an average annual spend per user amounting to $400, approximately 113 million people in these three countries invest in private healthcare services.
Visionary Leadership and Strategic Partnerships
Isidore Kpotufe, the founder of Rivia and a former Treepz CMO, emphasises the importance of placing the patient at the forefront of Africa’s healthcare system. Acknowledging the loss of patient trust, he asserts that addressing patient expectations is key to rectifying the system’s challenges. Isidore believes that Rivia’s solutions are poised to address these issues effectively.
Eric OsiaKwan, Managing Partner of Chanzo Capital, has joined Rivia’s board of directors to provide essential corporate governance. Chanzo Capital is leading a syndicate aiming to raise $200,000 in pre-seed funding for Rivia. The funds will be utilized to onboard 10 clinics and support them in scaling their operations, with plans to conclude the funding round by the end of February.
Onyeka Akumah, Treepz co-founder and CEO, expresses enthusiasm for Isidore’s venture, citing his confidence in Rivia’s potential success. Akumah has accepted an invitation to join Rivia’s advisory board, extending support through his experience and network.
Rivia is currently operating in Ghana, with strategic plans for expansion into West and East Africa on the horizon. The startup aims to reshape the healthcare landscape by combining financial support, technological innovation, and a commitment to patient-centric quality standards.
