Technology is heralding a new era of healthcare innovation in modern-day Egypt, driven by trailblazers like Dr Rasha Rady, co-founder and COO of Chefaa. Dr Rady is a paediatrician and assistant lecturer at Cairo University. She co-founded the startup with Doaa Aref, its Chief Executive Officer. They are at the forefront of Egypt’s digital healthcare transformation, enhancing access to healthcare services through Chefaa, an online pharmacy platform that addresses past deficiencies. Chefaa leverages technology to simplify medication orders, improve patient care, and enhance healthcare delivery.
Egypt’s healthcare landscape is undergoing a significant shift as it evolves from a system beset by challenges to embracing digital solutions. Historically, this North African country has faced numerous healthcare obstacles, including a rapidly growing population, high pollution levels, and overcrowded cities that have contributed to increasing health concerns.
The country’s lower-middle-income status and high unemployment rates have left 32.5% of Egyptians in extreme poverty, further complicating access to quality care. Additionally, the public healthcare system has suffered from chronic underfunding, resulting in a shortage of medical equipment and personnel in nearly half of all public facilities. This has created a significant disparity in the availability of medical services between urban centres like Cairo and rural areas.
Chefaa is bridging these gaps by providing a tech-enabled platform that connects patients with essential medications and healthcare services, regardless of location. By digitising the pharmacy experience and optimising supply chain management, Chefaa reduces delays and improves healthcare accessibility. Recent investments, including $5.25 million, will further expand Chefaa’s footprint in Saudi Arabia and enhance its digital infrastructure, solidifying its role as a leader in the region’s health-tech industry.
Chefaa’s impact on Egypt’s healthcare
With her academic background in paediatrics and her passion for improving patient care, Dr Rady has made significant strides in advancing Egypt’s healthcare industry. Her startup, Chefaa, has partnered with over 800 pharmacies, fulfilled over one million orders, and served over 1.8 million monthly users. Chefaa is disrupting the retail and pharmaceutical supply chain in North Africa.
Building on this success, Chefaa’s mission is to spearhead the secure digital transformation of healthcare, prioritising market needs and innovating new services and features. This commitment to pioneering healthcare solutions has earned it numerous accolades, including the Women in Tech award, Vivatech First Africa-Health Tech Award, and Cartier Impact Award.
The founder’s approach to problem-solving was pivotal in Chefaa’s success. She didn’t just focus on the solution but fell in love with the problem, understanding the challenges faced by her patients. This empathetic approach allowed her to create a tailored solution that addressed the specific needs of chronic patients in Egypt. Additionally, Dr. Rady’s willingness to evolve and adapt Chefaa’s services to changing demands has enabled the platform to stay ahead of the curve, reassuring patients that their needs are always at the forefront of Chefaa’s innovations.
Funding and prospects
Chefaa, an innovative health-tech startup, has successfully raised $8.9 million in funding across eight rounds, the most recent being a seed round on December 17, 2023. The company is backed by 13 investors, including recent contributors Global Brain Corporation and Verod-Kepple Africa Ventures. This funding will enable Chefaa to expand its presence in Saudi Arabia and scale its digital supply chain solutions, further establishing its leadership in the region’s health-tech sector.
In a recent achievement, Chefaa’s co-founder, Dr Rasha Rady, was named a semi-finalist on the To 20 Heroes 2024 list of the Africa Business Heroes (ABH) competition, an initiative by Jack Ma’s Foundation. Since 2019, ABH has aimed to support ten African entrepreneurs building sustainable businesses across the continent. As a Top 20 semi-finalist, Dr Rady now competes for a place among the top 10 finalists, who will vie for a share of $1.5 million in grant funding. Her recognition as a semi-finalist highlights her role as a pioneer in healthcare innovation and a beacon of inspiration for future generations.
Her latest recognition as a semi-finalist in the 2024 ABH competition underscores the impact of her work in reshaping Egypt’s healthcare landscape. As Chefaa continues to grow, its innovative approach to healthcare delivery sets new standards and inspires future generations of entrepreneurs to drive positive change across sectors in the African market.
Additional reporting by Ishioma Imokhai-Bello.
