Nigeria - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Medherence is an Artificial intelligence (AI) powered healthcare solution designed to improve medication adherence and patient outcomes in people with chronic diseases using gamification and an incentive system.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

At Medherence, we make medication adherence an engaging experience by gamifying it and also giving users money when they are adherent. Users can earn money by following their medication regimen, helping cover health expenses. Other features include medication reminders, and an AI adherence monitor to ensure drug intake. These features address major causes of medication non-adherence in chronic disease patients. Hospitals onboard their chronic disease patients on the platform documenting their regimen. The patients login with the login details given by the hospital. At medication time (as set by the healthcare provider), the alarm rings. The patient is directed to the adherence monitor on the software to verify drug intake. Verified intake earns money for both patient and hospital. The hospitals receive live reports of their patients’ adherence through their portal. This encourages hospitals to prioritize patient education, counselling, and support related to medication adherence.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

We aim to solve medication adherence issues in chronic disease patients. Non-adherence, failing to take medications as prescribed, is prevalent in chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, AIDS, and cancer. In Nigeria, 64.9% of the population has a chronic disease, with 50% non-adherent, leading to 1.4 million hospitalizations and 125,000 deaths annually, causing significant economic and social costs. Our user research identifies major causes of non-adherence in chronic disease patients: being busy, lack of motivation, and no money to restock medication. This non-adherence leads to increased healthcare costs, drug resistance, treatment failures, hospitalization, and death. Having seen my father struggle with medication adherence in his chronic kidney disease journey and died, I recognize the need for a more effective solution than simple reminders to help chronic disease patients manage their condition, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

We aim to solve medication adherence issues in chronic disease patients. Non-adherence, failing to take medications as prescribed, is prevalent in chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, AIDS, and cancer. In Nigeria, 64.9% of the population has a chronic disease, with 50% non-adherent, leading to 1.4 million hospitalizations and 125,000 deaths annually, causing significant economic and social costs. Our user research identifies major causes of non-adherence in chronic disease patients: being busy, lack of motivation, and no money to restock medication. This non-adherence leads to increased healthcare costs, drug resistance, treatment failures, hospitalization, and death. Having seen my father struggle with medication adherence in his chronic kidney disease journey and died, I recognize the need for a more effective solution than simple reminders to help chronic disease patients manage their condition, prevent complications, and improve their quality of life.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our primary target audience are health care providers in Nigeria like hospitals, pharmacies and clinics that are digitialized to some extent. Our secondary target audience are chronic disease patients in Nigeria with smartphones.

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-11-20

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

1

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Nwuta Chidinma is a medical student and product manager per excellence. She has experience in coordinating development of different health technologies, health and business administration Olaitan Olayiwola is a medical student and a product designer. He has experience in health technology, winning many awards for health technology hackathons like 4youthbyyouth amongst others. Ojietohamen Samuel is a product developer with 5 years experience in the Web3 and Artificial Intelligence space. He has co-founded other startups. With his business acumen, these startups have been up to a successful start.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/medherence

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

f) Healthcare (healthcare equipment and services)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

Medherence contributes to no poverty by improving medication adherence, reducing healthcare costs, and enhancing health outcomes for low-income individuals. By ensuring patients follow prescribed treatments, Medherence decreases the incidence of costly hospital readmissions and emergency care. Improved health leads to greater productivity and fewer missed workdays, increasing economic stability for individuals and families. Additionally, better disease management through Medherence prevents the progression of chronic conditions, thereby reducing long-term healthcare expenses. The Medhecoin rewards which can be converted to local currency helps user to finance health. By alleviating the financial burden of healthcare and promoting healthier lives, Medherence supports efforts to lift people out of poverty and maintain their economic well-being.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

5

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Medherence, by enhancing medication adherence, indirectly supports the goal of zero hunger through several mechanisms. Firstly, it ensures individuals, particularly those in vulnerable populations, maintain their health and ability to work, thus improving food security. Healthy individuals are more capable of participating in agricultural activities and other forms of employment that ensure a steady food supply. Secondly, it reduces healthcare costs and economic burdens on families, allowing more resources to be allocated toward nutritious food. Lastly, effective medication adherence helps prevent and manage diseases that can lead to malnutrition and hunger, promoting overall community health and resilience.

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Medherence significantly contributes to good health and well-being by ensuring that patients consistently take their prescribed medications correctly. This adherence helps manage chronic conditions, prevent disease progression, and reduce the risk of complications. By maintaining proper medication routines, patients can experience better control over their symptoms, leading to improved quality of life. Furthermore, medherence reduces healthcare costs by minimizing hospitalizations and emergency visits due to medication-related issues. Overall, consistent medication adherence fosters a proactive approach to health, promoting long-term wellness and stability in managing various medical conditions.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Medherence contributes to decent work and economic growth by improving health outcomes and reducing absenteeism. By helping patients stick to their treatment plans, Medherence decreases the incidence of chronic diseases and related complications, thereby enhancing workforce productivity. Healthier employees are more reliable and efficient, which can lead to increased economic output and lower healthcare costs. Moreover, the platform can create jobs in the health tech sector, fostering innovation and economic development. Ultimately, Medherence supports a healthier workforce, driving sustainable economic growth and promoting decent work conditions.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

Medherence contributes to industry innovation and infrastructure by leveraging advanced technologies to enhance medication adherence. By utilizing digital solutions, such as Web3 (cryptocurrency) and Artificial Intelligence, Medherence ensures patients follow their prescribed treatments, reducing healthcare costs and improving outcomes. This fosters innovation in pharmaceutical and healthcare industries through data-driven insights and personalized care. Furthermore, Medherence supports infrastructure development by integrating with electronic health records (EHRs) and healthcare management systems, streamlining operations and enabling efficient resource allocation. Overall, Medherence promotes a more connected, efficient, and patient-centric healthcare ecosystem, driving advancements in industry standards and infrastructure.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

2

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

2

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

N/A

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

2

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

N/A

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

2

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

N/A

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

3

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

5

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

2

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

5

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

2

06.08 Justification for my startup

Although hospitals have been using various means like pill counting, regular calls et cetera in monitoring the adherence of their patients, there has been no product specifically geared towards the monitoring of adherence of patients in realtime and also have a motivation for the patients to encourage them to use their medications. Medherence is a new product which seeks to employ cutting edge technology, Intelligent Medication Adherence Monitor, in ensuring that patients used their ,medications appropriately as at when due and rewarding them with medhecoin which is a proprietary web3 coin of the company to motivate the patients by helping them with their finances which is a very general and common problems faced by patients with chronic diseases.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

AARDEX Group, Onewellness, Medicure. The employment of a tested and tested cutting edge Artificial Intelligence technology in the monitoring of patients' medication adherence, the Intelligent Medication Adherence Monitor (IMAM). This is a novel innovation in the monitoring of medication adherence in African continent. Also the realtime connection between the patients and their HealthCare Providers which enable Healthcare providers to track patients medication adherence in realtime also makes Medherence standout from potential competitors.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?