TanzMED: Revolutionizing healthcare accessibility in Tanzania

TANZANIA – The TanzMED App, an interactive doctor-patient platform driven by artificial intelligence, aims to improve access to quality health information and advice, particularly for young people and families, while empowering patients to make more informed health decisions.

The new digital application was launched in Dar es Salaam to address the digital divide in the country’s health sector. 

The app, founded by Mtaka Nyoni in 2022, offers a wide range of features, including an AI-powered chatbot called Dr. Amina, who provides medical advice in Swahili using a conversational format. 

Users can also engage in video calls with medical experts for up to five minutes, receive guidance on topics such as menstrual health, and access telemedicine services.

“Our App will strongly support access to appropriate health care, thus improving health seeking behaviors. We understand that most Tanzanians have a culture of not seeking medical advice unless when they fall sick. Now, with TanzMED, you can seek medical advice anytime and anywhere,” said Nyoni, the chief executive officer.

Since its launch, TanzMED has gained over 2,000 subscribers, with a significant portion being youth aged between 18 and 34. 

Nyoni encourages all Tanzanians to download the free application through the App Store and Google Play to enjoy its digital medical services.

TanzMED aims to address the shortage of healthcare personnel, which is expected to have a significant impact on children’s and youth’s health by 2030. 

The startup charges hospitals US$25 per year to accept medical appointments, which can be digitally and physically booked through the TanzMED web and mobile app.

“TanzMED will always be free to use, we will only charge for premium services,” Nyoni assures, adding that the typical cost of a physical medical consultation in Tanzania is US$27, while TanzMED’s telemedicine service charges only US$5 per session.

The platform also offers Hospital Management Information Systems for archiving patient and user data for a fee. The startup expects to earn around US$1.3 million in revenue in 2024.

“TanzMED focuses on improving the availability and delivery of primary care to Tanzanians,” Nyoni stated, emphasizing the app’s commitment to leveraging technology to bridge the digital divide in the country’s health sector.

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