TIBU Health

TIBU Health, founded in 2018 by Jason Carmichael and Peter Gicharu, is a Kenyan company addressing healthcare accessibility and affordability. Carmichael, who serves as CEO, has a background in public health, having worked on mHealth projects with the World Health Organization and tackled a cholera outbreak in Sierra Leone. His experience revealed gaps in healthcare delivery in Kenya, which inspired the formation of the company. Gicharu, the CTO, brought his expertise in building technology solutions to the venture.

The company operates an omnichannel model that provides healthcare services to patients at home, through virtual consultations, and in physical clinics. Initially focused on direct-to-consumer home-based care, TIBU Health expanded its model in response to demand for virtual and in-person options. A significant part of its strategy involves establishing "Minute Clinics" within partner pharmacies, making healthcare more accessible in high-traffic retail spaces. This approach targets a key issue in Kenya, where many individuals' first and only point of healthcare is a local pharmacy. The services provided are reportedly up to 78% cheaper than traditional outpatient care due to an asset-light model that minimizes overhead.

TIBU Health's revenue is generated through four primary streams: B2B memberships for corporate clients, laboratory and diagnostic services for other physicians, occupational health and wellness programs for SMEs, and direct-to-consumer services. The company has secured partnerships with numerous insurers, corporate clients including the United Nations and the World Bank, and healthcare providers who refer patients for diagnostics. Its corporate membership for unlimited outpatient services is a key growth area, offered at a significantly lower price point than traditional insurance. Since its public launch in early 2020, the company has served over 45,000 patients and has received funding from investors such as Blue Haven Initiative, Kepple Africa Ventures, Health54, Google, and Founders Factory.

The service portfolio is extensive, including consultations with medical officers, specialist clinics (e.g., pediatrics, gynecology), chronic disease management, and a variety of diagnostic and wellness services. Patients can book services via a mobile app, website, or SMS, after which a triage process determines the appropriate course of action, whether a virtual consultation or dispatching a practitioner equipped with a "clinic in a backpack" for home visits. The company has also focused on building a robust, secure digital platform for health records to streamline the patient experience.

Keywords: healthtech, omnichannel healthcare, telemedicine, primary care, corporate wellness, at-home healthcare, outpatient services, clinic in pharmacy, healthcare logistics, chronic disease management, diagnostic services, virtual consultations, healthcare accessibility, affordable healthcare, healthcare memberships, mobile health, B2B healthcare, public health, medical diagnostics, East Africa healthcare