For many, healthcare — particularly access to affordable medication — is increasingly out of reach. It’s a problem that demands urgent, innovative solutions.

At a health tech startup Nkeiruka leads design in called OneHealthNG, she took on this challenge by designing a Pharmacy Fulfillment System — a comprehensive platform connecting pharmacies, HMOs, and customers to streamline order management and ensure real-time medication delivery.

Leading the design of this system, Nkeiruka focused on creating a solution that has successfully onboarded over 2,000 partner pharmacies in just one month, with plans to also design the HMO client dashboard enabling better access to affordable medications for thousands of Nigerians.

Techeconomy peeps into Nkeiruka Ifeonu’s journey, trying to find out her approach towards this complex but impactful design:

Understanding the Product Requirements

Her mission was clear: reduce operational inefficiencies and create a seamless experience for all stakeholders — pharmacies, customers, HMOs, and the team.

To achieve this, Nkeiruka prioritized key objectives such as track and fulfill orders efficiently: Pharmacies needed visibility into requests to improve fulfilment rates.

Implement a sub-wallet system – This feature was critical for payment reconciliation between parties. Also, she looked at enabling negotiation capabilities – customers needed a way to negotiate fair pricing for medications amidst rising costs.

The solution had to complement existing communication channels without eliminating the operational team’s role in facilitating complex negotiations.

Research: Listening to Stakeholders

Great design starts with empathy. She engaged directly with partner pharmacies to uncover their pain points and objectives.

These conversations revealed a need for clear visibility into order volumes and statuses; secure wallet systems for payment reconciliation, and negotiation tools to facilitate fair pricing.

This feedback shaped the system’s design, which prioritized an intuitive dashboard, an order tracker, wallet integration, and enhanced security through Two-Factor Authentication (2FA).

Designing with Purpose

Armed with insights, Nkeiruka moved into sketching and wireframing, ensuring collaboration by sharing initial concepts with the team. Brainstorming sessions aligned stakeholders and sparked innovative thinking.

She designed key sections, including: Home Dashboard – a snapshot of pharmacy operations; Orders Section used to track and manage medication requests; Wallet System for real-time payment tracking and reconciliation; Partner Management used to streamline pharmacy onboarding and engagement, and Payouts and Settings that enables the management of financial transactions and configurations.

Collaborative Stakeholder Feedback

Nkeiruka led detailed review sessions to keep stakeholders aligned and engaged throughout the design process. These sessions provided invaluable feedback that helped refine the platform to meet operational and user needs.

Prototyping and Testing with Users

Once she developed a prototype, she tested it extensively with internal teams, stakeholders, pharmacies, and customers.

One standout feature was the negotiation function, allowing customers to secure fair pricing for medications. This was especially important given the financial constraints faced by many Nigerians.

Continuous Testing and Iteration

Nkeiruka Ifeonu took her time to test and retest the system with all parties involved — pharmacies, HMOs, customers, and the team.

This rigorous approach ensured a robust, user-friendly fulfilment system that simplifies medication ordering and provides transparency for all stakeholders.

Therefore, in a country where nearly 40% of the population struggles to afford essential medications, innovative solutions are a necessity.

The OneHealth Pharmacy Fulfilment System Nkeiruka Ifeonu designed is a testament to the power of thoughtful design and collaborative problem-solving.

Beyond streamlining the medication order process, this platform has the potential to reduce Nigeria’s healthcare costs, improve medication access, and create employment opportunities.

As a product designer, her role goes beyond aesthetics. She is a problem-solver advocating for users, and also a champion of innovation. This project reinforced the importance of empathy-driven design in tackling real-world problems and creating impactful solutions.

More about Nkeiruka Ifeonu

Nkeiruka Ifeonu’s journey into product design is nothing short of inspiring. With a background in marketing, PR, customer service, and social media management, she brings a rich blend of communication and problem-solving skills to her work as a product designer. Her ability to connect with users and understand their needs is rooted in her experience across these diverse fields.

Living in Lagos, Nigeria has played a crucial role in shaping her design philosophy. The city’s unique challenges have fueled her growth as a designer, pushing her to identify and address issues in underserved communities.

Her work focuses on creating meaningful solutions that improve lives, showing how design can be a powerful tool for change.

But Nkeiruka’s impact goes beyond just design. Her dream of helping 1,000 women transition into tech speaks volumes about her commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. Through mentorship, one-on-one sessions, and sharing resources on social media, she’s dedicated to making tech accessible to more women, leaving the ladder behind for others to climb.

Her career trajectory is equally remarkable. From starting as a product design intern to becoming a full-time product designer.

Nkeiruka has demonstrated exceptional growth and potential. Her journey is a testament to her hard work, adaptability, and leadership qualities, positioning her as a future global leader in the world of product design.

The insightful conversation highlighted some critical aspects of infrastructure development and the immense potential of digital health solutions to enhance healthcare access and quality in Nigeria.

However, Dr. Kuti emphasized the need for collaboration between various stakeholders (public and private) to address the emerging challenges.

While acknowledging the key improvements in the healthcare landscape over the past decade, he highlighted the importance of addressing infrastructure gaps, ethical considerations, and distribution hurdles to ensure equitable access for all Nigerians.

The discussion touched upon the ongoing efforts by the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Ministry of Health to strengthen regulations and raise the bar for HMOs.

Dr. Kuti commended these efforts, highlighting their potential to build trust within the healthcare ecosystem.

During the interview, Dr. Kuti shared his perspective on the progress made within the Nigerian healthcare system, stating,

“if you look broadly at the Nigerian healthcare system, we’re not there yet. We still have our challenges, but there has been significant improvement over the last 10 years. We now have significant multi-specialist hospitals that have opened across Lagos and other major cities offering high-end surgeries, that were previously only available abroad. Likewise, we are witnessing a reverse trend of skills transfer, where doctors, surgeons, and physicians who trained abroad are returning to Nigeria, bringing their expertise back to their home country after initially starting their training here.”

This compelling insight from Dr. Kuti highlights the progress made in Nigerian healthcare, while acknowledging the existing challenges that still need to be addressed.

Building Solutions on Existing Infrastructure for Wider Reach

The dialogue also emphasized the need for digital health solutions to be designed with Nigeria’s existing infrastructure in mind to maximize their impact and ensure they reach a wider audience.

In corroboration, there is a need for increased support to enhance the distribution of digital health services.

He pointed out that an appreciable portion of the population has access to mobile phones, but internet connectivity and reliable power supply remain challenges. Dr. Kuti urged stakeholders to focus on solutions that function well within these constraints.

Another important aspect of the dialogue centers on the need for concerted efforts from the government and private entities like Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to push the envelope further.

In addition, the dialogue also touched on the current state of healthcare insurance in Nigeria and offered insights into the ongoing improvements and challenges within the sector.

Dr. Kuti described the situation as an “inflection point” with significant potential for positive change to be spearheaded by key health authorities and private sector innovation.

Watch the full interview here: Nigeria’s Digital Healthcare System

Transparency and Data Privacy: Fundamental of Trust

The discussion also shed light on the ethical considerations surrounding digital health. Dr. Kuti identified quality of care and data privacy as the two most critical aspects that should be safeguarded.

“As we implement these solutions, we must ensure they uphold the highest standards of care and protect the sensitive health data of individuals,” Dr. Kuti stated.

He assured listeners that reputable HMOs like Reliance Health prioritize providing patients with access to the best possible care,  understanding that proper treatment at the outset translates to lower costs in the long run.

Dr. Kuti also commended the enforcement of the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation, underscoring Reliance Health’s commitment to safeguarding sensitive patient information.

Dr. Kuti also advocated for clear communication and the fulfillment of promises, which are cornerstones of a healthy healthcare ecosystem.

These are also fundamental drivers for strengthening trust among healthcare providers, insurers, and patients. Citing an example of prompt delivery updates, Dr. Kuti explained that keeping patients informed throughout their healthcare journey fosters a sense of security and fosters trust in the system.

Nigeria stands at the cusp of a healthcare transformation, with digital health innovations promising to enhance access, improve quality, and ensure an ethical approach towards patient information.

Dr. Kuti’s interview serves as a call to action for stakeholders across the Nigerian healthcare sector.

As the sector continues to evolve, collaboration between government bodies, the private sector, and healthcare professionals will be crucial to realizing the full potential of these technologies.

Who is Dr. Femi Kuti?

• Femi Kuti is a leading innovator at the vanguard of Africa’s digital healthcare revolution.
• As the CEO/Co-Founder of Reliance Health, the visionary company behind Reliance HMO (a Next-Gen HMO catering to businesses in Nigeria), Dr. Kuti has consistently led the charge in transforming healthcare delivery through groundbreaking technological solutions.
• He is a licensed general physician focused on medicine and surgery. He worked as a healthcare investment banker at Goldman Sachs, advising healthcare, biotech, and pharmaceutical corporations in the EMEA region before co-founding Reliance Health in 2016.
• Today, Reliance Health is spearheading a much-needed digital transformation in the healthcare sector, changing the way healthcare services are delivered.
• As the foremost provider of both B2C and B2B healthcare solutions, they have emerged as the leading force driving innovation and accessibility in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape.
• Kuti is a trained physician specializing in the intersection of healthcare, business, and technology. With a professional focus on developing innovative healthcare experiences and products in low-resource environments, he brings a unique perspective to his work.
• With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by the African healthcare system, Dr. Kuti has dedicated himself to improving access to quality healthcare services for individuals and organizations across the continent.

Industry leaders and delegates from about 70 organisations, including technology, insurance, insurtech, and Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), converged at this prestigious event to discuss the future of insurance and technology in the country.

The conference revolved around “Unlocking policy and tech bottlenecks hindering disruptive insurance penetration.”

Here are the key takeaways from this groundbreaking event.

Collaboration for a Brighter Future

One of the standout features of IMT 2.0 was the emphasis on collaboration between underwriters and technology service providers.

The goal is to enhance customer experiences, build trust, and expand service reach across Nigeria.

This collaboration is a response to the significant increase in health insurance premiums, contributing to Nigeria’s cumulative insurance premium exceeding one trillion Naira in 2022.

The Vision of IMT

Odion Aleobua, the convener of IMT, highlighted the conference’s mission as a fusion of technology’s disruptive innovation and insurance’s wealth preservation.

IMT serves as a catalyst for Nigeria’s drive for financial inclusion, bringing together the forces of tech and insurance.

Technology’s Pivotal Role

IMT 2.0 highlighted technology’s pivotal role in the industry, particularly emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.

These technologies have the potential to drive significant growth and financial stability.

The conference emphasised the need for infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and consumption to fuel digital transformation.

Innovations in Customer Engagement

Insurtech played a crucial role in helping the insurance industry navigate challenging times.

Panel discussions at IMT 2.0 focused on leveraging insurtech for innovative product development, customer acquisition, engagement, and retention, all essential in the ever-evolving landscape.

Call for Regulatory Support

Delegates at the conference called upon regulators to collaborate with innovators to identify barriers to innovative solutions within the industry. While advocating for stringent regulations for underwriters, they emphasised the need for tech service providers to be audacious in developing sales channel solutions that facilitate market penetration.

Health Insurance Enhancement

IMT 2.0 underscored the need to leverage digital technology and telemedicine to improve the quality of health insurance services, particularly in underserved rural areas where specialised medical services are lacking.

Innovative Micro-Insurance Initiatives

Delegates agreed that there is a need for insurtech to collaborate with partners like retailers and insurance companies to build solutions that will help meet the needs of grassroots consumers.

There is to build technological solutions that will allow insurance companies to integrate their products into platforms for enhanced penetration, leveraging third-party platforms and cross-selling strategies.

Awards of Excellence

IMT 2.0 marked a significant moment as awards were given to notable industry players, recognising excellence in various categories.

• Insurance Company of the Year: Leadway Assurance.
• Insurance and Insurtech Collaboration of the Year:  AIICO-ETAP
• Promising Product of the Year: FastClaim.
• Micro-Penetration for Financial Inclusion Award: Awabah.

More about Insurance Meets Tech (IMT)

IMT is dedicated to accelerating growth within Nigeria’s insurance and insurtech sectors.

Established in 2021, IMT made its inaugural debut in 2022. The conference brings together leaders from Africa’s finance and tech sectors to drive innovation, collaboration, and progress in the insurance industry.

With each edition, IMT continues to serve as a platform for sharing ideas, insights, and experiences in leveraging technology for insurance penetration and industry efficiency.

IMT 2.0 was a resounding success, showcasing the potential of collaboration between technology and insurance to revolutionise the sector in Nigeria.

As the industry continues to navigate challenges and embrace innovation, the future looks promising, focusing on expanding insurance coverage, improving customer experiences, and driving digital transformation.