Cameroonian health startup Waspito has successfully raised a $2.5 million seed extension in a funding round that saw participation from notable investors, including DP World, Newtown Partners, Saviu Ventures, AAIC Investment, Axian Ventures, and CFAO’s Health54. The newly acquired funds will play a pivotal role in supporting Waspito’s expansion endeavors, particularly in the Francophone region.
Often hailed as the ‘Facebook for healthcare,’ Waspito stands out as a health-centric social network designed to empower users across Africa, facilitating instant connections with verified doctors through video calls. Departing from conventional telemedicine models that involve pre-registration and appointment booking, Waspito’s strategic positioning at the intersection of technology and healthcare aligns with its mission to make quality healthcare accessible to all Africans, especially in regions where the doctor-to-patient ratio is significantly low.
Founded by Jean Lobe Lobe in early 2020, Waspito seized the opportunity to address the growing need for accessible healthcare, particularly exacerbated by the global health emergency triggered by the Covid pandemic.
The unique approach adopted by Waspito allows users to select online doctors for immediate video consultations, and for medical tests, the platform collaborates with partner laboratories, offering home sample collection services. Partnerships with local hospitals further ensure seamless transitions for patients requiring additional attention or admission.
Jean Lobe Lobe underscores the critical aspect of keeping doctors consistently available online. With less than 2 doctors for every 10,000 people in target countries, Waspito aims to bridge this gap by providing a comprehensive healthcare service hub. The platform facilitates payments through various options, including insurance, incentivizing doctors to extend their online availability.
Recently honored as the best health startup in Africa at the VivaTech awards, Waspito has already garnered 650,000 users in Cameroon and Ivory Coast, onboarding 950 doctors and facilitating 60,000 consultations. The startup foresees further growth with its innovative hybrid model, currently undergoing a pilot phase in Ivory Coast.
The hybrid model involves establishing mini-clinics within the branch network of La Poste Corporation, Ivory Coast’s national postal service, providing offline patients with virtual access to doctors and healthcare services. This inventive approach tackles the challenges of internet and smartphone accessibility in Africa, particularly among underserved populations.
Waspito has ambitious plans to roll out the hybrid model in Cameroon and Senegal by the end of the first quarter next year. With the backing of funds from DP World and other investors, Waspito remains steadfast in its commitment to making high-quality medical services readily available to all.
