Meanwhile, in rural communities, one doctor is expected to look after 5,000 patients. If that doesn’t feel like a national crisis, perhaps this will: Nigerians spend an average of N5,200 every month on self-medication because they simply cannot trust hospitals to be there when they need them.

However, in the middle of this dysfunction, we’ve selected two HealthTech brands who are torchbearers for a broken system; Helium Health and Reliance HMO. 

Both founded in 2016, both funded by global investors, both leveraging technology. But they serve completely different corners of the healthcare puzzle: one is wiring up hospitals with digital infrastructure, the other is selling ordinary Nigerians something close to peace of mind. So, the question? Which one serves Nigerians better?

The Context: Digital Health as a Lifeline

Globally, digital health has gone beyond being experimental. The market is projected to hit $660 billion by the end of 2025, growing at nearly 25% annually since 2019. Artificial intelligence alone is set to contribute over $102 billion by 2028. 

In Nigeria, the digital health market will reach $645 million this year, driven by smartphone penetration, improved internet, and the government’s goal to digitise 70% of health records by 2025.

On the demand, 70% of Nigerian doctors now use some form of healthtech tool. Patients are booking virtual consultations more, and insurers are relying on apps to reduce paperwork. Against this backdrop, Helium Health and Reliance HMO have risen to prominence.

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Helium Health: Building the Rails

Helium Health is the backbone of African hospitals with an indispensable product: Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Hospital Management Information Systems (HMIS). 

These systems replace dusty paper files with digital dashboards, automate billing, manage drug inventories, and streamline appointments.

Helium Health has raised $42.2 million to date and now operates in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda and Kenya. Its acquisition of Meddy in 2021 and development of HeliumDoc allowed it to integrate AI-powered tools for telemedicine, doctor discovery, automated workflows and patient engagement tools. Through its HeliumCredit product, it also offers financing to hospitals starved of liquidity.

Hospital administrators commend Helium Health for one thing: control. With over 1,000 facilities onboarded and thousands of clinicians using its software, it has become the quiet enabler of efficiency in a chaotic system. The average patient may never hear of it, but without Helium, many hospitals would still be filing patient data in dusty cabinets.

Reliance HMO: Delivering the Ride

Reliance HMO sits on the other end, highly visible, customer-facing, and almost evangelical about access. Unlike Helium, Reliance doesn’t build tools for hospitals. It sells health insurance plans directly to individuals, families, and businesses, plans that truly work.

With $51.1 million raised so far, Reliance has built a provider network of over 2,600 hospitals in Nigeria and 3,800 globally. Its platform gives users telemedicine, cashback incentives for unused plans, and transparent, flexible options like the Red Beryl plan at ₦38,650 annually. For many SMEs and startups, this affordability is the difference between employees being insured or not at all.

Customer feedback usually highlights its quick claims process, responsive support team, and user-friendly mobile app. Reliance has also pushed innovation in chronic care, piloting programmes in diabetes management that reduced fasting blood sugar levels by 12% for participants.

In short, Reliance is the brand patients see, touch, and trust.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Which Serves Nigerians Better?

This is not a straightforward fight. Helium Health is the engine room, Reliance HMO is the frontline face. Helium ensures hospitals can run efficiently; Reliance ensures patients can actually access care. One is building the rails, the other is driving the train.

If you’re a hospital administrator, here’s your answer: Helium Health is the partner you need. If you’re an HR manager trying to insure your staff, Reliance HMO is the obvious choice. In reality, Nigerians need both, because infrastructure without access is meaningless, and access without strong infrastructure collapses quickly.

Nigeria’s health sector will not be saved by government spending alone. It will be saved by fierce experiments like Helium Health and accessible models like Reliance HMO. Each represents a different strategy to solve the same problem: how to give Nigerians dignified, affordable, and reliable healthcare.

So, which serves Nigerians better? The answer depends on where you stand. But if both continue to grow and eventually intersect, the biggest winners won’t be the companies, it will be the patients who, for once, might actually find the system working in their favour.

This innovative approach addresses pressing healthcare challenges and is demonstrably changing the narrative in the northern region with data-driven results.

Reliance HMO’s telemedicine approach offers round-the-clock consultations, digital prescription management, as well as the choice of prescription pick-up or delivery to plan members.

Northern Nigeria’s vast and rural communities have historically faced significant challenges accessing essential healthcare services due to limited medical facilities and personnel.

However, the equation for healthcare access in these communities is changing. With a quick call or a few clicks through mobile phones, patients can now connect with healthcare providers from faraway locations and receive responsive expert advice and prescriptions.

Imagine a woman living in a remote village near Kaduna, juggling the demands of her two young children.

Frequent heartburn disrupts her daily routine, and traveling for specialist medical care feels like a distant dream. With Reliance HMO’s telemedicine service, she can now easily connect with a doctor for the consultations, prescription, and medication needed, remotely without the long journeys.

Addressing the initiative’s impact, Abere Novo, the CEO of Reliance HMO, stated,

“Beyond a technological approach to medical care, Telemedicine is a lifeline for many communities in Northern Nigeria. Our goal at Reliance HMO with this new approach is to bring quality and seamless healthcare closer to every individual, regardless of location. We are determined to leverage technology to bridge the current healthcare gap in the Northern region.”

It’s exciting that Telemedicine also addresses healthcare access disparities in Northern Nigeria, particularly for women.

A recent report found that over a third (35%) of telemedicine users in the region are women, highlighting its role in bridging the gender gap and overcoming traditional barriers to healthcare.

In the past few years, Reliance HMO has integrated Telemedicine into healthcare delivery across Northern Nigeria, achieving these key objectives with continuous investment and collaboration with local partners.

• Increased Adoption and Utilization: In 2023, over 1,000 patients used the Reliance HMO telemedicine services in the Northern region, resulting in approximately 5,000 consultations managed by 54 doctors. By April 2024, this number had surged to over 2,000 patients.

• Healthcare Empowerment for Women: Telemedicine’s remote approach aligns with the private and convenient health needs of women. Despite the traditional gender roles, 35% of Reliance HMO telemedicine users in Northern Nigeria in 2023 were women.

• Affordability and Accessibility: A recent telemedicine report shows that the initiative reduces local and international medical trips, addressing geographic barriers. It effectively increases health programme impact, reduces medical expenses, and improves overall health outcomes.

The significant impact of telemedicine services in Northern Nigeria demonstrates the potential of technology to address healthcare gaps.

Reliance HMO’s telemedicine brings quality healthcare within everyone’s reach and fosters a healthier future for millions by facilitating access to preventive care, early diagnosis, and treatment.

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.

Without an employee health plan, productivity was regularly impacted by absenteeism– made even worse by long hospital wait times.

Team members’ health challenges were also a financial concern: without a fixed investment in health coverage, ad-hoc requests for financial support were unpredictable and a source of stress for Jude and his team alike.

Jude admits this ad-hoc approach was unsustainable, draining resources and hindering his ability to invest in employee development, and ultimately scale up.

Jude’s predicament reflects a common challenge for countless businesses in Nigeria. The lack of accessible and affordable healthcare options forces entrepreneurs to choose between their employees’ well-being and their growth ambitions. This raises a crucial question: can ambition and accessible healthcare coexist in Nigeria’s current landscape?

Jude’s predicament isn’t unique. Across the corporate landscape in Nigeria, businesses, big and small, struggle with the delicate dance of balancing growth with the escalating costs of sustainable healthcare for employee well-being. Limited health insurance coverage across the country poses a significant challenge, impeding access to quality healthcare for millions of individuals.

The World Economic Forum’s latest prediction that medical inflation will outstrip GDP growth in many countries seems to be taking a heavier toll on the entire continent as Africa records higher rates of medical inflation compared to the global average. But what does this mean for Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation?

Beyond the Headlines: The State of Healthcare Insurance in Nigeria

In Nigeria, achieving sustainable healthcare remains a tightrope walk. A stunning 74% rely on out-of-pocket payments, as highlighted by a recent PwC report. Affordability presents a formidable obstacle, leaving many Nigerians vulnerable and the healthcare system itself unsustainable.

Nigeria’s healthcare system faces a perfect storm: Rising costs of living due to inflation, reliance on medical imports, recurrent strikes, exodus of skilled healthcare professionals, and lack of basic infrastructure.

These threats create a vicious cycle, eroding quality and accessibility for all. The result? A system struggling to meet present needs, let alone ensure future sustainability.

Across Africa, and particularly in Nigeria, a heavy reliance on imported medical equipment and pharmaceuticals poses a significant challenge.

With over 70% of medications coming from foreign sources, this dependence drives up costs and undermines the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system. There is also the rising cost of fuel, which adds to the overhead costs of facilities and imported medications.

By investing in employee health, businesses not only empower their workforce but also foster a healthier and more productive workforce, drive employee retention, ultimately reduce turnover and pave the way for a transformed healthcare ecosystem.

Existing health insurance models, despite their potential to contribute to a thriving economy, are struggling to keep pace with the contemporary economy. Inefficiencies and static benefit structures limit their ability to address the evolving needs of businesses and employees.

Numerous healthcare facilities are owed significant amounts for services rendered, creating cash flow problems for both providers and insurers.

With a smaller pool of insured individuals, insurers lack the leverage to negotiate better rates with providers, perpetuating a cycle of financial strain and hindering the overall quality of healthcare.

This combination of accumulated debt, service disruptions, unsustainable fees, and limited penetration creates a precarious situation for both healthcare providers and enrollees, highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions to ensure a sustainable and adaptable healthcare system.

Bridging the Healthcare Coverage Gap

Imagine accessing quality healthcare on your terms, without long wait times or limited options. Imagine businesses leveraging digital health technology to offer comprehensive, affordable healthcare benefits that attract and retain top talent.

This is the future of healthcare, and it’s happening right now.

Leading the charge in this exciting shift is Reliance HMO, a pioneering health insurance company at the forefront of healthcare innovation in Nigeria. With a focus on technology and prevention, we’re redefining access to quality healthcare.

The future of healthcare is brighter than ever– and with Reliance HMO at the forefront, Nigerians are experiencing the difference firsthand.

Through a solid commitment to cutting-edge technology and a customer-centric approach, Reliance HMO is making healthcare accessible, convenient, proactive, and beneficial for both individuals and businesses.

Since inception, Reliance HMO has remained committed to transforming Nigeria’s healthcare insurance sector, while contributing to a better future for the ecosystem. We’ve already forced a paradigm shift, making telemedicine a non-negotiable option for Nigerian HMOs.

The preventive care and consumer-centric approach to healthcare that we deploy, give employees the support and information needed to stay healthy before problems arise. This not only benefits individual employees, but also drives business performance– as team members bring their best and most resilient selves to work.

Furthermore, we use technology to help businesses understand the real impact of employee healthcare plans on their personnel’s day-to-day lives. Empowered by insights, businesses are able to see the true value of their healthcare investments, ensuring they’re meeting the needs of their employees while staying within budget.

Plan members and admins also have direct access to dedicated support. For enrollees, this means prompt access to multichannel service via chat, phone, email, as well as an app including telemedicine, an overview of benefits, virtual ID and a searchable directory of providers. For admins, a dedicated account manager offers regular strategic support on how to get the most value from the health plan, while optimising utilisation.

Reimagining the Role of an HMO

At Reliance HMO, we’re committed to a seamless and supportive journey for both enrollees and administrators. From streamlined digital onboarding to multi-channel support, we blend technology and a personal touch to enhance accessibility and improve the overall experience..

“We have had experience with about five different HMOs.  Support took  so long. In fact, my weekends were usually crazy because everybody had to dash into the hospital due to weekly workloads.. With Reliance HMO, most of the information I need is on the app. It is convenient. I don’t even need to call the corporate retention person to find out some things. I appreciate the innovations Reliance delivers– they make the experience seamless,”  Iquo Ballantyne, Group Admin Lead at PE Energy Ltd.

We’re seeing the impact of integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning to drive quicker collaboration with providers, investing heavily in customer support and building tech solutions to make healthcare accessible and easy to navigate: improving businesses, communities and individual lives in Nigeria.

Redefining Sustainable Healthcare in Nigeria

Reliance HMO serves more than 2,000 businesses– all of which have shared Jude’s concerns at some point. Working with them, we hear the challenges faced by Nigerian businesses, corporations, and HR leaders first-hand.

hat’s why we’re so passionate about helping businesses to take control and actively support their teams’ physical and mental wellbeing. We know from experience that quality, transparent health benefits alleviate avoidable pressure on the talent management professionals, business owners, and the teams they manage.

Nigeria’s healthcare insurance landscape holds immense potential for growth, but discovering its true power demands a multi-pronged approach.

Innovative technologies like telemedicine and data analysis can streamline processes, improve access, and personalize care.

Expanding coverage to informal sectors and vulnerable populations is crucial for inclusivity and equity. Finally, benefit plans that embrace a holistic approach to wellness and prevention, incorporating education and healthy lifestyles can be absolutely transformative, delivering value to plan members before they ever get ill. Such strategies will drive sustainable progress for the entire sector. By embracing these strategies, Nigeria can unlock a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Dr. Ugochi has over ten years of experience in the fields of clinical medical practice and health systems strengthening. Driven by a longstanding passion to make an impact in healthcare services, Ugochi studied Molecular Biology and African Studies at Harvard University. She has a Medical Doctorate (MD) from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and completed internal medicine residency at the University of California, San Francisco.

In her role at Reliance Health, she leads the expansion of Reliance Family Clinics franchise of primary health care facilities and growth of the acute-care telemedicine platform via the Reliance Care App.