Cameroonian Healthtech Waspito Raises $2.5M To Pull The Healthcare Ecosystem Into One Platform
Waspito, a Cameroonian health startup, has secured a $2.5 million seed extension, helping its growth in Francophone African regions.
Waspito
Waspito is a health-focused social network that aims to integrate the whole health ecosystem into a single platform.
Instead of building a platform involving pre-registration and booking consultation meetings, founder Jean Lobe Lobe opted for one where users could instantly connect with doctors.
Lobe founded the startup in 2020, just before the COVID pandemic became a global health emergency, aiming to make healthcare accessible.
“Going online to book an appointment for later doesn’t really ring a bell when somebody is really seriously sick or someone that needs a doctor right away,” Lobe told TechCrunch. “This is why we do instant video connections.”
Your healthcare needs on a single platform
The platform streamlines everything from video consultations with verified local doctors to sample collections and medication deliveries.
When users log in to the site, they can select a doctor from a list of those currently online.
Before consultations, patients pay using several methods, including insurance.
Following a consultation with a physician on the platform, treatment can continue at the nearest hospital without requiring additional payment or registration.
It additionally facilitates sample collection from homes and the delivery of medication.
When a doctor prescribes medical testing, a technician from one of its partner laboratories visits to collect samples.
Additionally, users can anonymously join different disease support groups to receive personalized guidance.
Waspito has also now integrated with some local hospitals to support patients requiring deeper reviews and admission.
The startup claims to have reached 650,000 users in Cameroon and the Ivory Coast, has onboarded 950 doctors and facilitated 60,000 consultations.
The $2.5M Seed Extension
The seed extension in a funding round was led by DP World, with participation from investors including Newtown Partners, Saviu Ventures, AAIC Investment, Axian Ventures and CFAO’s Health54.
This brings their funding to $5.2 million raised since last year’s $2.7 million.
The funding will support Waspito’s growth initiatives, particularly expanding its telemedicine services in the Francophone region.
Waspito recently expanded its operations to Ivory Coast, piloting a hybrid model that combines virtual consultations with offline mini-clinics.
The hybrid model will be extended to Cameroon and Senegal, further expanding its reach to underserved populations.
“Healthcare is actually for everyone, and that means we have to reach out to everybody. These mini-clinics, we think, are the best way to connect with the underserved populations,” said Lobe.
