If all medical apps in Nigeria were unique and solved problems in healthcare, then each of them should’ve been very popular and used widely among patients and medical practitioners.

Nigeria is home to over 200 million people, and with healthcare being one of the never-ending challenges of the country, you can imagine where I’m coming from.

To back this up, my extensive performance review of the top healthcare technologies in Nigeria (apps in this edition) proved that mHealth apps are thriving, gaining a wider audience but there is room for improvement.

Compared to popular finance apps available in Nigeria, the most popular healthcare apps have just between 10k to 50k downloads; in short, none of them is amongst the top health apps listed by SimilarWeb.

This means there’s a missing link between the app creators, promoters, and those these apps are trying to help solve their medical issues.

In this article, I prepared a list of the top five mHealth apps available in Nigeria.

My list is prepared based on efficiency, reach, user-friendliness and solution proficiency.

However, the list is prepared in no particular order.

The most popular healthcare apps have just between 1k to 5k downloads; in short, none of them is amongst the top health apps listed by SimilarWeb.

Polling the top healthcare apps in Nigeria

I downloaded about 8 mHealth apps available in Nigeria, read reviews, and also used these apps to get a better understanding of how they work and what was lacking as well as what worked appropriately.

After using these apps and taking necessary notes, I applied some of the methods I mentioned in my article on app marketing; to ascertain that the apps that topped my list met the criteria of mHealth apps that people would download and use.

So here goes!

Top Five Mobile Health Apps in Nigeria

1. Omomi

If you are a nursing mother or a mother of an infant, five years and below; you should check this app out!

‘Omomi’ meaning ‘my child is a childcare app developed by three co-founders; Owobu Emmanuel Osayi, Charles Akhimien Immanuel and Raman Anurag.

The app was created for nursing mothers with children under five years old.

Now to the functionality of the Omomi app, I think the app is a very useful one and provides a wide range of information to nursing mothers and fathers

What’s Cool?

“A product with a good copy never goes wrong” in my opinion.

The copy of the Omomi app sells the product to users in simple and catchy expressions.

The headline can’t be missed and has a tone that makes a prospective user want to know more. I loved how the app features were listed out too.

There is a section for interactions with other parents, you can ask questions and people who have had similar experiences can provide you with answers, a good concept.

I for one will get bored if all the app does is just display childcare tips on the home page all the time.

That could be boring.

Another great feature of the app is ‘chat-a-doctor’.

This feature allows users to subscribe to connect with a doctor for as low as N600 weekly!

Plus, you can upgrade your subscription or decide not to auto-renew.

The Diarrhoea Management section of the app is what I love the most!

You are asked questions about the symptoms you’ve noticed in your child, then you calculate.

The app then runs these symptoms through a database of symptoms of diarrhoea and gives you feedback which includes what you should do to manage the child or the app advises you to chat with a doctor.

It’s a good app, however, there’s is room for improvement.

The copy of the Omomi app sells the product to users in simple and catchy expression.

What’s Wrong?

Here’s what I observed when I searched for childcare apps on the Google play store, the Omomi app did not show up in the search results. Even when I became more specific by typing, ‘childcare apps in Nigeria’, no Omomi.

There are millions of people who do not know the Omomi app or any childcare apps.

Similar search queries popped up; child care apps in Hindi, childcare apps for mothers, child care and so on.

Just like I mentioned in my article on App marketing, App Store Optimization (ASO) is very relevant to getting people to download and use your app.

People keep searching for apps that can improve their lives and solve problems on the go.

If you don’t optimize so that when people search for solutions related to what your app provides or services the app renders, they can’t find your app.

Your App Name is the keyword, for Omomi, it could be ‘Omomi -child care’ or ‘Omomi -Childcare app’.

You can also include keywords in the copy. Omomi is a childcare app; be sure to strategically put those keywords in the body of the copy.

The moment you download the app and sign up, you are taken to the ‘chat-a-doctor’ page. The page says you should pay for a subscription to chat with a doctor.

Never forget to offer rewards or motivate users when they download your app or sign up to use your app.

You can offer a one week free trial of the ‘chat-a-doctor’ function.

I don’t think it’s a good idea that users are met with that page once they sign up.

It’s a childcare app and most people just need basic information on managing some health situations at home.

A more friendly and helpful page should be on display first, a page that speaks more to the user about the care of the child, not a subscription request.

Finally, I tried several times to pay for a week subscription but I couldn’t fill in my card details because the app didn’t display all the digits, it was the same when I refreshed the page.

The moment such functions are not working properly, users get frustrated and may never try again.

Always best to keep these features top-notch all the time.

That’s all for the Omomi app, so let’s dive into app number 2!

2. Hudibia

Looking for an app that provides a connection to doctors, health care tips, ambulance services on the go from anywhere in the world?

Hudibia is perfect for you!

The Hudibia app is a telemedicine mobile app developed by Ahjoku Obi Amadi, a doctor and research fellow in telemedicine.

The Hudibia app helps users connect with experienced health care professionals, book hospital appointments or request house calls, request an ambulance and get information on common health problems.

I like the layout of the app, it’s very precise; users don’t need to go treasure hunting to find available services.

What’s Cool?

There is a database of doctors with specialization in various medical Fields and users can search for these doctors either by specialization, name or location. Nice one.

In-app payment for consulting is an attractive feature of Hudibia. When you search for a doctor and invite a doctor to a session, the cost of consulting per hour is displayed and you can pay right away.

How can anyone not find that easy to use?

Did I mention that the app has language translation into three major languages in Nigeria? Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba.

The challenge and hassles of getting an ambulance in case of emergency are addressed through the apps ‘ambulance’ section. All there is to do is turn on your device’s location and the app locates ambulance services around you with their contact information.

I once had a seizure when I was a little girl, an eight-year-old girl alone with her siblings, then cousins younger than me.

If this app existed in those days, we would have put it to good use.

Mobile clinic.

The drop-down menu on the left side of the home screen gives the user access to his records; doctor’s appointments, ambulance trips, payments, medical files, etc.

You can easily say that you have a hospital in your pocket.

Now to the things that could be improved on.

There is a database of doctors with specialization in various medical Fields and users can search for these doctors either by specialization, name or location. Nice one.

What’s Wrong?

App Store Optimization (ASO) works for every app. Use the right keywords in the app title and the copy.

Your copy speaks for you, make sure it’s sending the target audience the right information.

In my opinion, what the Hudibia app has is a summary of the concept of the app and not a copy.

It doesn’t necessarily speak to a target audience nor does it explain simply yet with details what solutions the app gives.

The ‘hospital/clinic’ section of the app should be updated. I searched for hospitals near me and the app didn’t pick up any hospital or clinic in Port Harcourt or Rivers State.

The ‘diagnostics’ section should help users find laboratories within their location yet it doesn’t function. I searched for diagnostics within more than five major cities and no records showed for any of those cities.

Finally, I could not pay for a subscription because whenever I try to, the page loads for ages and goes back to the Home page.

The concept of the Hudibia app is a unique one however, there is room for improvement.

3. MyPaddi

Who could have known youths had long yearned for an app where they could share their thoughts and not be blasted for it?

The myPaddi app allows users to interact anonymously, share their thoughts and experiences, ask questions about life, sex, relationship and health, and chat with doctors!

With the alarming rate of suicides across the country, and several youths suffering from depression; ‘myPaddi’ which means ‘my friend’ is giving users a mobile friend.

It was founded by Charles Immanuel Akhimien and Emmanuel Owobu and has gained over 50k downloads in the last five years.

Right now, MyPaddi ranks no1 in the Health and Fitness category of the Apple Store!!

What’s Cool?

Interact with anonymous users on the myPaddi platform and share your opinions on issues of life, sex or relationships.

When a person creates a post and shares it, the post goes public and people respond by offering advice and guidance.

It keeps the user in a safe zone because he/she is anonymous the same as whoever comments on the post.

The user has access to tips cutting across Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Sexual abuse, Contraceptive use and period checker.

It’s a whole package, what’s more? The information provided with regards to these topics is well researched and proven.

The layout of the app is very colourful and easy to navigate through.

Finally, you can chat with a doctor for a subscription as low as N300; worth 1000 myPaddi coins.

I subscribed for a thousand coins and the payment went through smoothly. The moment I refreshed my page, my coin chest was filled with 1000 coins, easy!

I’ve always emphasized that every mHealth app is unique and solves a problem.

MyPaddi is solving the problem of depression among youths in Nigeria.

It keeps the user in a safe zone because he/she is anonymous the same as whoever comments on the post.

What’s Wrong?

I think I’ll launch a ‘rewrite-your-copy’ campaign pretty soon.

The heading of the copy is a total NO.

When you write a copy, always write for the target customers and users.

The body of the copy is fair enough but could be improved on but if the heading is a flop, how can you convince me to read the body?

To maintain anonymousness, users shouldn’t be allowed to put up profile pictures. I checked out my profile and when I clicked on the picture icon, I was given the option to upload a photo.

How do I maintain anonymousness if I can upload my picture and people can see it. It may be a matter of choice but over time, it could ruin the initial concept.

That’s all I observed on myPaddi.

On to the next one!

4. Mobihealth

The Mobihealth app is a telemedicine app that connects patients to certified doctors almost anywhere they are in the world or should I say patients in UAE, Europe, The United States and Africa.

Known for its flexible subscription plans and having some of the best medical practitioners on its team, Mobihealth stands out as a go-to app for online consulting in Nigeria.

The Mobihealth app is a product of Mobihealth International which was founded by Dr Funmi Adewara in 2015.

What’s cool?

Mobihealth has one of the most secure connections for online consulting in Nigeria and Africa. I am someone who clings to the policy of patient-doctor confidentiality whenever I seek medical advice.

When you create an account, almost immediately you are shown a list of available doctors for consultation.

Nobody wants an app that stresses them.

Mobihealth uses prompts and engaging copies on their mhealth app. You can’t miss your way around the app.

Mobihealth has one of the most secure connections for online consulting in Nigeria and Africa.

What’s Wrong?

Can we get a free trial, please?

You can’t access Mobihealth’s consultation sessions if you aren’t subscribed to any of their paid plans.

Although, ease of navigation around an app is key; fewer texts would make your app more appealing.

In such an instance, I’d suggest revisiting the design and graphics of the app.

5. Find-A-Med

The Find-A-Med app helps users locate health facilities through GPS navigation.

With over 5000 registered medical centres, users have access to a host of hospitals, health care providers, pharmacies, diagnostics and other medical health facilities and services.

Find-A-Med is a mobile directory that gives users information on medical centres with so much ease.

The app was created by Emeka Onyewe in 2014.

What’s Cool?

First of all, I was really pleased that I could just ‘Dive right into the app without compulsory having to sign up or log in.

Users have the choice of just trying the app out in the first instance without creating an account!

The fact that I can get trusted referrals to medical centres across the country is a great relief. With the catalogue of reviewed hospitals on the app, the user can make informed decisions on which medical centre to visit.

You can search for medical centres based on speciality, or location as the case may be.

What’s Wrong?

The Find-A-Med copy is a No-No.

Your app copy should not be about an award or achievement. Your target customer does not care about that information.

The copy should always be about the product with your customer in mind.

Let your copy tell your target customer what problems your product can solve, not the award your team has won.

The app needs to be updated to be compatible with recent versions of Android, it’s a shame that the app still runs on a version as far back as 2014.

I managed to dive right in without signing up, but I couldn’t get anything to work through that gateway.

I eventually signed up but the app works slow and the setup, outlay and display, is outdated.

The Common Problem of Healthcare Apps in Nigeria

Healthcare startup companies in Nigeria need to up their game.

Developing an app or starting up a mobile healthcare service should not be seen as an act of novelty.

There are several medical apps and health tech start-ups all over the world and these make up the competition for our mHealth companies here in Nigeria.

It is not encouraging when an app that is supposed to solve problems and generate profit doesn’t get up to 1Million downloads and subscribers.

How then do you grow the company, expand and maintain the status of ‘CEO’?

So there you have it!

The top five mHealth apps in Nigeria, in no particular order.

You should check these apps out, download and use them.

Don’t forget to share your reviews in the comment section!