As Nigeria struggles to reduce catastrophic health spending and improve access to care, stakeholders at a health innovation forum in Ekiti have examined the rollout of MedfestCare, a digital health wallet designed to allow Nigerians save gradually and pay hospitals instantly when treatment is needed.
The soft launch and pioneer volunteers induction of the MedfestCare app held at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Center, Ado Ekiti, brought together Medical Professionals, Technology Experts and other advocates who described the initiative as a timely intervention in Nigeria’s healthcare financing space.
MedfestCare is designed as a digital “health wallet” that allows individuals to save gradually for medical expenses, locate verified healthcare providers nearby and make instant payments for services when needed.
Speaking at the event, the Pioneer Provost, College of Medicine, Afe Babalola University, ABUAD, Ado-Ekiti, Professor Rotimi Sanya, commended the brain behind the initiative and its executive team, noting that the scheme has the potential to take medical service delivery to another level.
Professor Sanya said innovation aimed at helping people access healthcare without financial hardship is critical at a time when many Nigerians delay treatment due to lack of funds.
According to him, the platform would also make users more aware of available healthcare facilities around them and enable them to identify and choose quality providers with ease.
Professor Sanya added that the initiative would complement the existing health insurance schemes by helping enrollees identify accredited and reliable healthcare providers, thereby strengthening service delivery.
He assured the promoters of his support and expressed optimism that the platform would assist many people in accessing timely and quality medical care.
In his address, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MedfestCare, Dr. Ayo-Igbala Sanya, said the idea behind the platform was driven by the recurring challenges faced by patients who struggle to pay medical bills or access quality healthcare when needed.
Dr Ayoigbala- Sanya described MedfestCare as a digital healthcare access and finance platform that enables individuals to afford care, while locating verified healthcare facilities around them.
Unlike conventional insurance schemes, he said, the platform does not operate restrictive clauses that exclude certain treatments, but instead gives users flexibility and control over how their funds are utilised.
Dr.Ayoigbala Sanya disclosed that the team would intensify awareness campaigns through social media and other channels to drive adoption of the platform.
He stressed that the professionals behind the platform possess expertise in medicine, finance and technology, assuring users of the system’s safety and reliability.
Explaining the operational framework of the Scheme, the Senior Medical Adviser of MedfestCare, Dr. Abiola Maxwell, said provisions have been built into the system to address emergency situations, including cases where a user’s wallet balance may be insufficient at the point of care.
He stated that the platform promotes transparency in healthcare pricing, allowing users to see the cost of services and make informed decisions.
Dr. Maxwell further explained that the wallet was structured to enable family members, associations and well-wishers to contribute to a user’s health fund, ensuring that financial constraints do not become a barrier to urgent medical attention.
On the technology backbone of the platform, the Chief Technical Officer, Mr. Victor Emeter, said the application was developed with high-end programming and robust security architecture to safeguard users’ confidential data and financial information.
He assured that the system was designed to prevent breaches and compromise of personal records, adding that the team plans to organise ICT awareness trainings for users who may not be digitally savvy, to ensure inclusive access and effective utilisation of the platform.
According to him, prospective users can begin registration through the landing page, MedfestCareng.com, which provides guidance for downloading the app from the Play Store.
Also speaking, the Chief Financial Officer of MedfestCare, Mrs. Esther Babalola, said the subscription process was deliberately simplified to encourage participation, explaining that users can save any amount based on their financial capacity without pressure or fixed contributions.
Mrs. Babalola emphasised that adequate financial safeguards have been put in place, assuring subscribers that their funds are secure and protected within the digital wallet system.
As part of the event, pioneer volunteers were inducted and educated on how the platform works and what is expected of them as community ambassadors, while they were equally charged to educate potential users and guide them on how to maximise the benefits of the initiative.
The Team Lead of the volunteers, Miss Juliana Ajayi, urged her colleagues to remain committed and proactive in carrying out their responsibilities, assuring the management that the volunteer corps would work diligently to promote the platform and support its successful rollout.
