Amid a scarcity of doctors in certain regions of the continent, e-health is surfacing as a reliable alternative. A growing number of startups in this sector are emerging across Africa, aiming to facilitate individuals in managing their health effectively.

Esante Company, an e-health solution developed by a Burkinabe startup, allows patients to access healthcare online through its mobile application. The startup, based in Ouagadougou, was founded in 2021 by Yves Patrick Yanogo.

Its mobile application, currently available only on Android, requires users to create an account with their details. Once registered, users can access a range of healthtech services, including online appointment booking, teleconsultation, digital medical records, and access to medical advice on various topics.

To book an appointment, users search for the desired medical specialty, select a doctor from the platform, and choose a suitable date and time for the consultation. For online consultations, users need to connect to the waiting room ten minutes before the appointment time. They can then describe their symptoms to the doctor via videoconferencing from a computer or smartphone, who will then proceed with the necessary treatment steps.

For doctors operating on the platform, the process is streamlined. With a digital diary, they can plan their work schedule for days, weeks, and even months ahead. Patients’ appointments are displayed on their dashboard, providing them with full control over their time. The application also includes features for patient monitoring, prescription writing, and easy access to patients’ medical records from anywhere.

In December 2023, Yanogo said the startup was collaborating with certain hospitals in Ouagadougou, to expand coverage nationwide. He also highlighted the challenges faced by the startup, including the nascent digital culture and poor internet coverage in his country. As of early 2023, the internet penetration rate stood at 21.6%, according to DataReportal data.

Adoni Conrad Quenum