the information reflects exactly what she is experiencing at a
particular time. This helps to build an emotional connection
with the mother and a sense of trust, making it more likely that
she will be receptive to messages that encourage changes in
behavior. The messaging program accompanies each mother
on her journey of learning and discovery and acts as a step-by-
step guide to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
BabyMed provides ICT consultancy, innovative solutions for
the education sector, and web design and development.
Talking about social activities, the company conducts Twitter
chats on maternal and child health issues and also organizes
marathons (Beyond Zero marathon) and walks targeted at
highlighting maternal and child health mortality. Not only
this, but BabyMed also advocates and promotes exclusive
breastfeeding for children aged 0-6 months.
Awards and Recognitions
- Top application in the health category in the Safari.com
app developer challenge - Top Ten Finalist in the Women & Access to Health Call
for Initiatives! In April 2019, Bryan Okello was
shortlisted as one of the top ten finalists (the only finalist
from Africa) in Women & Access to Health Call for
Initiatives! Organized by the Women’s Forum. - Publication of BabyMed’s story in the StartUp Health
Magazine - Partnership with StartUp Health. In June 2016,
BabyMed was selected by StartUp Health to join its
Portfolio of Digital Health Companies working to
transform Health Care with Bryan Okello becoming the
First Healthcare Transformer from Africa to join the
academy. This was a very important milestone for the
company because guidance from StartUp Health and
access to its networks will be crucial in accelerating our
growth. StartUp Health is leading a global movement to
transform health by organizing and investing in the
world’s largest community of Healthcare Transformers.
With the coaching, support and promotion from StartUp
Health Academy, BabyMed is now well placed to
transform maternal and child health care in Kenya.
Three-piece Advice
BabyMed advices the budding entrepreneurs in the healthcare
space to Anticipate Potential Snags i.e. every meeting is an
opportunity to develop and grow. No doubt, there will be
some mistakes along the way, but if they can’t be avoided, one
should remember that learning is a continuous process.Secondly, it suggests to Think Small, At First. As the world of
healthcare is very much regimented, innovation may be
something completely world-changing in time, but at first,
one should focus on getting it adopted on a small-scale basis
where its effectiveness can be proven.Lastly, it recommends to Get Out There because the company
believes that spending as much possible time in the exact
environment the product will be used in, will give an idea of
the nuances and potential issues that will come with its use.Strategic Plan for a Glorious Future- Sign up one million users
- Translation of messages to local languages such as
Kiswahili, Kikuyu, Luo, Kamba, Kalenjin
- Translation of messages to local languages such as
- Set up BabyMed Social: An interactive social network
where mothers can read articles and have a conversation
with their peers - Set up BabyMed on USSD in order to offer weekly two
interactive quizzes tailored to mothers’ gestational stage or
the age of their baby - Expand to other east African countries such as Tanzania,
Uganda, and Rwanda. Institute a monthly block
knowledge sharing sessions that bring together all
expectant mothers registered at a facility for information
sharing in a group. - Set up Maternal Health Corners with partnering health
facilities made up of a set of computers that have been
programmed with content (audio, video, and text) for the
benefit of health workers
What’s next in the Store?BabyMed would be launching its android mobile app as well
as its redesigned website. The company would be signing up
partnership agreement with Uridu.org. URIDU is a non-
profit, non-partisan organization that empowers rural women
in developing and emerging countries. Also, discussions are a
in an advanced stage to partner with ‘Africa’s Talking’ to
facilitate scale up of its mobile service to all parts of Kenya.18 |July 2019|