Grace Ashiru
MyTherapistng, a Nigerian mental healthtech startup, recently announced a new partnership with WellaHealth, a fellow Nigerian healthtech company. This collaboration, coming after MyTherapistng reached 5,000 users, will enable its users to access micro-health insurance, adding an extra layer of health security.
According to the mental healthtech startup, WellaHealth’s innovative approach to affordable healthcare will be seamlessly integrated into the MyTherapistng platform. This integration will provide users with a broader range of health solutions, including telemedicine, malaria testing and medication, as well as diabetes and blood pressure screening.
“For now, this will only be available to our corporate clients. It’s an all-in-one package covering both mental and physical health for their employees, with Wellahealth as our direct service provider,” said Oluwaseun Raphael Afolayan, CTO and Co-founder.
Nigeria, with a population exceeding 200 million across six geopolitical zones, faces a significant mental health challenge, with one in four individuals reporting mental illness. Despite this, only about 10.4% of Nigerians with severe mental disorders have access to treatment.
Currently, only 3% of Nigerians have health insurance. However, in February 2024, Dr. Salma Anas-Ibrahim, Special Adviser to the President on Health, announced that the federal government aims to extend health coverage to over 50 million Nigerians by 2027, with a focus on the vulnerable and elderly.
For healthtech startups working to enhance healthcare in Nigeria, forming partnerships is essential to improving insurance access and expanding healthcare availability.
Research underscores the significant impact of strategic partnerships in promoting innovation and business growth. A report by the BPI Network, highlighted in Forbes, indicates that 44% of businesses actively pursue alliances to acquire new ideas and insights, which fuel innovation. Additionally, a study by Harvard Business Review shows that 94% of technology executives consider innovation partnerships vital to their strategic planning.
This collaboration with healthtech companies aims to drive innovation and raise awareness about mental health in Nigeria, where people with mental illnesses frequently encounter stigma and discrimination.
Dedoyin Ajayi, Co-founder and CEO of MyTherapist.ng, states, “Our objective has always been to dismantle barriers to mental health care. Partnering with WellaHealth not only expands the range of services we offer but also strengthens our dedication to providing comprehensive health support for our users.”
Following the launch of Healthsend Africa by WellaHealth in Kenya nine months ago and its subsequent rollout in Nigeria in June 2023, Healthsend has made it possible for immigrants to top up a website wallet and pay for various healthcare services for their family members in Nigeria and Kenya. This service is accessible to immigrants in the United States, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
In addition to MyTherapistng’s collaboration with WellaHealth, the mental health tech company is actively engaged in partnership discussions with several key organizations that align with its mission to enhance mental well-being for all Africans. These potential partnerships include HMO organizations such as Wellness HMO and IHMS, as well as Healthtech startups like Clafiya, Famasi, Healthtracka, and others.
