By Jessica Dogo
The Chairman, UNICCON Group of Companies, Prof. Chuks Ekwueme, says MySmartMedic, the group’s digital health startup, would enhance access to healthcare by expanding across the global market.
Ekwueme, who is also the Founder of MySmartMedic, made this known at the inauguration of its Advisory Board on Thursday in Abuja, where he sought expert support and partnerships to advance the company’s vision.
He said the vision evolved over four years through extensive research, innovation, testing and refinement.
According to him, MySmartMedic is designed to address major needs in the digital healthcare ecosystem and requires collaboration to achieve its full potential.”
He said the advisory board would provide independent guidance on business decisions, growth opportunities and expansion strategies across Nigeria and Africa.
He further said that members’ expertise and professional networks would help position the company as a global brand rather than a local enterprise.
The chairman said MySmartMedic was targeting an Initial Public Offering (IPO) within the next year.
He explained that the IPO would allow members of the public to own shares and participate in the company’s digital healthcare initiative.
Ekwueme said MySmartMedic differed from other telemedicine platforms because it was designed to serve people across different socioeconomic groups.
“Its target users include rural communities, middle-income earners and high-income earners.”
He said the company had developed about five business models, including a community package for people without conventional smartphones or reliable internet access.
“MySmartMedic has also developed a native tablet capable of operating with little or no connectivity, making it suitable for underserved and rural communities.
“The company’s services include a smartwatch wearable designed to support telemedicine and improve the monitoring and transmission of health information,” he said.
He said UNICCON’s expertise in Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing had enabled it to develop solutions suited to African conditions.
He said that MySmartMedic was not merely another mobile application but the result of four years of research and development.
Ekwueme said the company owned the intellectual property behind its solutions and was focused on creating technologies tailored to Africa.
Dr Offiong Archibong-Anyiawu, Chairman of the MySmartMedic Board, said the board would help connect the company’s vision with its implementation, institutionalisation and long-term sustainability.
Dr Cornel Agwu, a finance, investment and inclusion specialist, commended the company’s focus on healthcare access and financial inclusion.
Agwu said Nigeria’s healthcare challenges ranged from limited caregivers, health facilities and financing, to inadequate Health Maintenance Organisation as well as limited household resources.
Mr Hamilton Gabriel, Head, Telemedicine Subsidiary, MySmartMedic, who gave an overview of MySmartMedic, said the platform offered home-based teleconsultations, with serious cases referred to appropriate health facilities.
He further said the company planned to deploy MySmartMedic in primary healthcare centres, across the federation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company also produced MySmartMedic wristwatches and bracelets in order to track individuals’ health status. (NAN)
Edited by Uche Anunne