Aproko Doctors New StartUp: Healthcare in your DM
Most Nigerians don't have health insurance, and visiting a hospital can take all day. This is why many people try to treat themselves at home, which can be dangerous. AwaDoc is a new startup aiming to be the "first stop" for anyone feeling unwell.
If you have ever felt sick and spent hours searching the internet for answers, you know how scary it can be. In Nigeria, this is a daily reality. Hospitals are crowded, there are very few doctors, and most people don't have health insurance. Because of this, many people just guess what medicine they need, which can lead to even bigger health problems.
Now this is where AwaDoc comes in.
AwaDoc is a new company linked to Chinonso Egemba, the famous doctor many of us know online as "Aproko Doctor."Co-founded by Jesse Benedict, their goal is simple: to make sure the first place you go when you feel unwell is your phone, which is even more accessible and easier than the local chemist for a random pill.
This is how it works.
AwaDoc doesn’t ask you to download a fancy new app that uses up all your phone's memory. Instead, it uses WhatsApp. Most of us use WhatsApp every day to talk to family and friends. Now, you can use it to talk about your health.
You simply message an AI chatbot and describe how you feel in normal language. You don't need to know medical terms. The AI listens, guides you. You can even upload your medical report, and it helps you figure out the next steps. If the bot thinks you need more help, it connects you to a real doctor, a lab for tests, or a pharmacy to get your medicine.
The founders are clear that AwaDoc isn't just another video-call app for doctors. They want to manage your whole journey. This means they stay with you from the moment you feel a headache until you actually have the treatment in your hand. They even help arrange home care if you can't leave your house.
Why is this working? It’s about trust. Because "Aproko Doctor" is involved, people feel safe using it. In its early stages in 2025, more than 11,000 people across Africa have already started using the service.
The company is currently raising $500,000 to grow even bigger. They plan to keep the symptom checks free for everyone, while charging for extra services like private doctor chats or booking lab tests. They are also working with employers and insurance companies to make it even more affordable for workers.
Of course, changing healthcare isn't easy. The AI needs to be smart enough to understand local slang and how different people describe pain. But by putting healthcare on WhatsApp, AwaDoc is removing the biggest walls between patients and the care they deserve.
In a country where doctors are hard to find, AwaDoc is putting a medical guide right in your pocket.
Getting started with AwaDoc is designed to be as simple as saving a contact on your phone. Since it runs directly on WhatsApp, you don't need to visit an app store.
How to Connect
A Few Tips for Your First Chat:
To start a conversation with the AI health assistant (named Noura), follow these steps:
Add +1 502 627 0621 to your phone contacts under the name "AwaDoc."
Open WhatsApp, find the contact you just saved, and send a simple message like "Hi" or "Hello."
Follow the Prompts: The AI will introduce itself and ask you to describe how you are feeling.
If you are on your phone right now, you can click the link below to open the chat automatically: Chat with AwaDoc on WhatsApp.
Or reach out to 02013309056
Describe your symptoms in plain, everyday English. You don't need to use medical jargon.
While the beta has seen over 11,000 users, the company sometimes uses a waitlist to manage traffic. If you aren't able to chat immediately, you can sign up at awadoc.com/join-waitlist to get notified as soon as a spot opens up.
AwaDoc is built to be secure, but remember that it is an AI assistant meant for guidance and is not a total replacement for a physical doctor’s exam in an emergency.
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