Mkata Nyoni, the founder and CEO of TanzMed, aims to transform healthcare accessibility in Tanzania and beyond. With a background in management information systems and IT economics, Nyoni blends his expertise in technology and business to bridge the gap between healthcare services and the communities that need them.
Nyoni’s journey began during his studies in China, where he was struck by the stark differences in healthcare outcomes between China and Tanzania. His passion to make a difference was ignited when he realized that in China, people weren’t dying young; they were growing old. This realization sparked his desire to improve healthcare accessibility and awareness in his home country.
In 2012, Nyoni and a group of doctors started writing health blogs to inform Tanzanians about various health issues. A simple blog evolved into TanzMed, a comprehensive digital health platform. “Our goal is to create a digital hospital that simplifies healthcare accessibility,” says Nyoni.
Today, TanzMed has grown significantly, boasting over 4.38 million users and offering various services, from live consultations to health monitoring tools. “We solve health issues for over 19,000 people annually,” says Nyoni. TanzMed is also pioneering mental health data collection in Tanzania, collaborating with the national mental health hospital to launch a comprehensive mental health program.
Nyoni attributes much of TanzMed’s recent progress to its participation in HealthTech Hub Africa’s accelerator program. ‘The program has been instrumental in shaping our product and business strategies, helping us to reach more users and improve our services,’ he says.
After participating in HTHA’s masterclasses and receiving mentorship, Nyoni and his team made a few changes to their business and have since refined their pricing models.
The accelerator has also connected TanzMed with potential investors, opening new avenues for growth. The company’s latest innovations include incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology and expanding its platform to support Android and iOS.
“We want TanzMed to be a multilingual platform, starting with Swahili and English and eventually including French and Chinese,” says Nyoni. This expansion aims to make TanzMed a global health solution that will reach more users and provide better healthcare services.
Moreover, TanzMed understands the importance of adapting to market needs and continuously improving its offerings, so it has shifted its business model to include premium services and subscriptions, ensuring sustainability and growth.
Nyoni’s journey has been challenging. It took a lot of work to gain momentum initially, especially in Tanzania’s slower-paced market. In 2017, TanzMed received recognition and funding from the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology, which helped propel the platform to new heights.
The company also won the PEPFAR innovation award for HIV/AIDS solutions in Washington, D.C., in 2019, underscoring TanzMed’s impact and potential and further motivating Nyoni and his team to expand their services. As a HealthTech Hub Africa-supported start-up, TanzMed hopes to see even more success.
Nyoni’s journey is a testament to perseverance and passion. His advice to fellow entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Don’t chase money; deliver value, and the money will follow. Being an entrepreneur is not easy, and the path is rarely straightforward. Do what you love and keep pushing forward.”
As TanzMed grows, its impact on Tanzania and beyond will be profound. It will embody Nyoni’s vision of accessible, high-quality healthcare for all.
