Dr Jessica Verno is on a mission to transform Africa’s healthcare landscape through Maisha Meds, a digital network of private pharmacies and clinics that provides affordable, high-quality care. She recognised rural pharmacists and clinicians’ struggles in accessing essential medicines and founded Maisha Meds in 2017. Her vision was to leverage technology to empower healthcare providers with the tools to enhance patient care.
At its core, Maisha Meds offers a mobile-based software platform that streamlines pharmacy and clinic operations, ensuring that independent healthcare providers can deliver consistent, cost-effective services. Through real-time inventory tracking, digital payments, and reimbursement programs, the platform helps facilities procure quality medicines at lower costs and pass the savings on to patients.
A digital-first approach to expanding access
Unlike traditional healthcare models, Maisha Meds is a digital network connecting pharmacies and clinics through its mobile app. The platform is specifically designed to function in low-internet environments, allowing facilities in semi-urban and rural areas to manage stock, process reimbursements, and offer subsidised treatments without connectivity disruptions. This innovation has helped integrate small, independent health providers into a broader, more efficient healthcare ecosystem.
One of the platform’s standout features is its health insurance-style loyalty programme, which enables pharmacies and clinics to offer essential services—such as malaria treatment, family planning, and HIV care—at reduced costs. This initiative has been instrumental in increasing access to life-saving medicines for underserved populations.
Impact and expansion
As of June 2022, over 1,000 healthcare facilities across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Zambia actively used Maisha Meds, making it one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most prominent digital pharmacy networks. In a month, more than 350,000 patients visited these tech-enabled facilities, with 8,300 receiving essential healthcare services through the platform’s subsidy programmes. Patients have praised Maisha Meds’ services’ affordability, efficiency, and reliability.
Global recognition and funding
Maisha Meds’ groundbreaking work has attracted significant financial support from global institutions. In October 2023, the organisation received $5.25 million in scale-up funding from USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) to expand its affordable malaria care initiatives. Additionally, support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has enabled the company to enhance its mobile software and extend its reach.
With operations spanning multiple countries, Jessica Vernon has positioned Maisha Meds as a pioneering force in African healthcare. By harnessing digital innovation, the platform bridges healthcare gaps and ensures that even the most remote communities can access essential medicines without compromising quality or affordability.
