StartUp Mondays: DabaDoc - Moroccan Startup democratizing healthcare access in Africa

STARTUP MONDAY

Editor’s Note

Hey there African Entrepreneur!

So here you are African Hustler, working on yourself, ideas or business. And yes, it’s definitely not as easy as you initially projected right?

In the words of Elon Musk, this hustling business is “like eating glass and staring into the abyss.” 🙃 

It’s going to be tough. But guess what? You have to be tougher. Some days are going to be harder than others. But there are those too that will make you smile.

Hustling is a painful and sometimes lonesome journey yet a worthwhile experience.

Through everything that you experience, one of the most empowering realizations that you will ever make is coming to grips with the reality that no one is coming to save you.

Away with the victim mentality, entitlement, inferiority complex, self-denigration, and low self-esteem. You are your life’s hero.

So every Monday we cheer ourselves up by learning from and celebrating phenomenal Africans who are trailblazing and setting an example for us to follow and emulate.

Today we are in Morocco with DabaDoc. One of the lessons that you will see is that startups addressing real African problems have the greatest growth potential.

Be inspired and stay hustlin’

STARTUP OF THE WEEK: DabaDoc

Startup Spotlight

DabaDoc: Revolutionizing healthcare access in Africa

If you live in Africa, you may probably know how hard it can be to find and book a doctor’s appointment.

You may have to scout multiple clinics, or even travel long distances to get the care you need. And if you have insurance, you may not know which doctors are covered by your plan.

Because of this DabaDoc, a Moroccan startup, is on a mission to make healthcare more accessible and convenient for everyone in Africa. DabaDoc was launched in 2014 to help democratize access to healthcare and is now the largest online booking platform for doctors in Africa with more than five million patients and thousands of doctors.

What is DabaDoc?

DabaDoc is an online platform which allows patients to easily find and book an appointment with an available doctor nearby that meets their needs. This service is available 24/7 and on any device.

DabaDoc connects patients and doctors, substantially improving the doctor discovery process for patients and helping doctors optimize their schedules. It is the largest online medical appointment booking platform in Africa.

Since its launch, DabaDoc has grown, reaching over 5 million users and 15,000 doctors across 12 countries in Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

The best part is that booking an appointment is a free service for patients. Revenue is generated from two sources: a subscription fee from doctors who join the platform, and a commission fee from insurance companies who use the service.

DabaDoc is not only a business, but also a social impact venture. It is working to improve the quality and affordability of healthcare in Africa. This is being achieved by empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health, and by enabling doctors to reach more patients and provide better care.

The story of DabaDoc is an inspiring example of how technology and innovation can solve real problems and create positive change in the world. Further, it is a testament to the potential and talent of African entrepreneurs, who are building solutions tailored to the needs and realities of the African continent.

What problem does DabaDoc solve?

DabaDoc provides equal access to quality and affordable health care in Africa. According to the World Health Organization, Africa has the lowest ratio of health workers to population in the world, with only 1.3 health workers per 1000 people. This means that many people face long waiting times, high costs, and limited choices when seeking medical care. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for remote and accessible health services, as people want to avoid exposure and infection.

How does DabaDoc work?

DabaDoc offers patients a secure and user-friendly platform that allows for easy appointment booking, doctor communication, and online payment. Patients can search for doctors by speciality, location, availability, or language. Once they choose a doctor, they can book an appointment by selecting a date and time slot. They can also cancel or reschedule their appointments if needed.

DabaDoc also offers different services to meet the needs of patients, such as:

• DabaDoc Mind: This service allows patients to access online mental health consultations with qualified psychologists and psychiatrists. DabaDoc Mind aims to provide confidential, convenient, and affordable mental health care to patients who may face stigma, discrimination, or lack of access to traditional services.

• DabaDoc Consult: DabaDoc Consult strives to offer fast, hassle-free, and trustworthy medical advice to patients with minor or urgent health concerns, requiring a referral or seeking a second opinion.

• DabaDoc Home: Through this service, a patient can request home visits from doctors, nurses, or physiotherapists. The patients can choose the type of service, the date and time, and the location. DabaDoc Home aims to provide convenient, comfortable, and personalized health care to patients who may have mobility issues, chronic conditions, or post-operative needs.

Benefits of DabaDoc?

• For patients: Firstly DabaDoc helps patients save time, money, and hassle by allowing them to book appointments online, without having to call, visit, or wait for a doctor. Secondly, DabaDoc helps by providing access to quality and affordable health care. Thirdly, it assists patients in improving their health outcomes, by providing them with online consultations, reminders, and follow-ups.

• For doctors: Doctors get increased visibility, reputation, and income through showcasing their profiles, and qualifications. Also, doctors can optimize their schedules, reduce no-shows, and increase patient loyalty. Lastly, DabaDoc helps doctors expand their reach, network, and knowledge by allowing them to offer online consultations, referrals, and collaborations.

Founder Spotlight

Who is behind DabaDoc?

The company was founded in 2014 by Driss Drissi-Kaitouni and Zineb Drissi-Kaitouni, who are siblings and entrepreneurs.

Driss Drissi-Kaitouni is a computer engineer and entrepreneur. He has a passion for technology and innovation, and he believes that DabaDoc can transform the healthcare sector in Africa by connecting millions of patients with thousands of doctors. He is also an active member of the Moroccan startup ecosystem and a mentor for young entrepreneurs.

Zineb Drissi-Kaitouni is a business graduate and a former consultant who has worked in various industries and countries. She has a strong interest in social impact and healthcare, and she co-founded DabaDoc with the vision of improving access to quality care for everyone in Africa. She is also a speaker and a role model for women in tech and entrepreneurship.

Together, Driss and Zineb have built DabaDoc into the largest online medical appointment booking platform in Africa. They have also raised funding from AXA Group, one of the world’s leading insurance companies, and partnered with Orange, one of the leading telecom operators in Africa. In 2021, DabaDoc was acquired by Orange, marking a milestone for the African startup scene.

Our Analysis

Value proposition: DabaDoc offers a convenient and easy way for patients to find and book the right doctor for their needs, without having to call multiple clinics or wait in long queues.

Revenue streams: Revenue comes from two sources: a subscription fee from doctors who join the platform, and a commission fee from insurance companies who partner with DabaDoc to offer their clients access to the service.

Customer segments: There are two main customer segments: patients who need medical care, and doctors who provide medical services. DabaDoc targets patients who are looking for convenience, quality, and affordability in their healthcare choices, and doctors who are looking for efficiency, productivity, and growth in their practice.

Channels: Customers are reached through the website and mobile app. DabaDoc also uses social media, email marketing, and partnerships with health industry players to promote its service and attract new users

Cost structure: Costs are incurred from developing and maintaining its platform, acquiring and retaining customers, paying salaries and commissions to its team, and expanding to new markets.

Strengths

• A large network of doctors from various specialities and locations, covering Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, South Africa, and Nigeria.

• User-friendly and secure platform that allows patients to easily find and book appointments, chat with doctors, and pay online.

• Strong online reputation and visibility, with over 5 million users and thousands of healthcare professionals.

• Recognition and support from prestigious programs and organizations, such as the Aspen-Blackstone Entrepreneurship programme, the World Health Organization, and the World Economic Forum.

Opportunities

• Leveraging the growing demand for online health services in Africa, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

• Deriving benefits from the rising awareness and adoption of digital health solutions among doctors and patients, as well as the support and investment from governments and donors.

• Exploring new opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with other stakeholders in the health ecosystem, such as hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, insurance companies, and NGOs.

• Diversifying offerings and adding new features and functionalities, such as telemedicine, e-prescriptions, health records, and analytics.

AND THAT’S A WRAP