In the ever-evolving landscape of global health innovation. As a key figure in pioneering telemedicine solutions in Uganda and across Africa, I was at the forefront of leveraging technology to bridge healthcare gaps in underserved communities. My participation in Turn.io's 2023 Chat for Impact Health Accelerator not only highlighted my commitment to impactful change but also showcased how collaborative programs like this can amplify life-saving services. Drawing from the insights shared in Turn.io's 2023 accelerator, let's dive into my contributions and one of the transformative works I drove at Rocket Health.

Joining the Chat for Impact Health Accelerator.

When I learned that Rocket Health was selected from over 375 applicants to join Turn.io’s 2023 Chat for Impact Health Accelerator, I knew we were stepping into a game-changing opportunity. Turn.io, in partnership with WhatsApp and The Agency Fund, offered a six-week program to help ten global health organizations design, develop, and deploy chat-based services on WhatsApp, a platform with over 2 billion users worldwide. For us, this meant a chance to bring vital healthcare to people in remote and underserved areas using a tool they already know and use daily.

The accelerator provided us with expert guidance, a $25,000 grant, and a license to Turn.io’s powerful technology platform. Reflecting on the experience, I said,

“This cohort is brimming with trailblazers who are impacting the lives of individuals and communities. Personally, I have been inspired by what everyone has achieved and built in a short time frame, and the skills that we have acquired in just seven weeks are invaluable. On behalf of Rocket Health, we are proud to be a part of this extraordinary cohort.”

Those seven weeks were intense, but they equipped us with the tools and knowledge to transform our evidence-based interventions into a scalable chat service.

Building Rocket Health’s WhatsApp Chat Service.

At Rocket Health, our mission was to pioneer telemedicine in Uganda, where 50% of the population faces a $30 cost per outpatient visit, a significant barrier for many. With 70% of outpatient care suitable for telehealth, I saw immense potential in using WhatsApp to deliver healthcare directly to people’s phones. Through the accelerator, we designed and launched an automated chat service that revolutionized how our customers interacted with our customer experience team. This service enabled 24/7 consultations, medication orders, and answers to all FAQs, boosting our client handling efficiency by 60% and cutting response times by 44%. By integrating eCommerce functionalities, we created a scalable solution for seamless healthcare access, with a goal to reach 500,000 patients annually.

Check out the demo below.

The chat service guided users through a simple, structured process: they can select services, access real-time telehealth consultations, and order medications with ease. For patients with chronic conditions, refilling prescriptions was now just a few taps away. This approach ensured affordability, quality, and scalability, aligning perfectly with Turn.io’s vision of deepening health impact through chat technology.

Pippa Yeats, Co-Founder of Turn.io, noted that organizations like ours were already delivering high-standard interventions, and the accelerator helped us scale these efforts. With Turn.io’s ongoing support for twelve months post-program, I was confident we would continue refining our service and expanding its reach across East Africa.

Why This Work Matters to Me

For me, this isn’t just about technology, it’s about breaking down barriers. In Uganda, long travel distances, high costs, and limited access to doctors keep too many people from getting the care they need, and this was our "WHY". Our WhatsApp service changed that by meeting people where they are, on a platform they already trust. The efficiency gains were 60% better client handling and 44% faster response times. Meaning we served more people, faster, without compromising quality.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to scale our WhatsApp service to reach at least 500,000 patients annually, with plans to expand across East Africa. Turn.io’s commitment to launching 2024 accelerators opens even more doors for innovators like me to keep pushing boundaries.

This journey with Rocket Health and Turn.io has shown me the power of technology to save lives and build healthier communities. I was proud to be part of Rocket Health.

Special shoutout to Solomon Obwot and Afasha for their technical support to bring this project to life, and Davis Musinguzi the CEO, plus Martin Ankunda the CTO, for giving this a green light.