The Tanzanian healthcare start-up, Medikea, has recently received financial backing from the Catalyst Fund, enabling it to further its goal of providing affordable healthcare services to vulnerable communities. This cash injection responds to the expanding healthcare requirements in Tanzania, fuelled by intensified health challenges across Africa due to climate change.
Harnessing innovation, Medikea tries to bridge the healthcare accessibility gap by integrating around-the-clock telemedicine services and strategically sited clinics. This set-up improves accessibility and affordability of essential care for underprivileged groups.
Increasing malnutrition, infectious diseases, heat-induced illnesses, and other healthcare issues are common throughout Africa, often exacerbated by scarce healthcare resources. Medikea’s strategy directly confronts this issue by delivering an all-inclusive care system which combines physical clinics with telemedicine assistance.
Established in 2023 by Dr. Elvis Silayo (CEO) and Dr. Desire Ruhinda (COO), both with experience in Tanzania’s national hospital system, Medikea is headquartered in Dar es Salaam and focuses on providing quality care for financially disadvantaged individuals.
Their unique delivery model merges virtual consultations with in-person clinic visits, ensuring affordable primary care and diagnostics. Medikea has so far served approximately 10,000 Tanzanians, offering vital services such as consultations, specialist referrals, and pharmacy linkages at nearly half the cost of existing alternatives.
