Larry Hank
In Nigeria’s evolving healthcare sector, one entrepreneur is taking bold steps to ensure that young adults and students have easy access to essential healthcare services. Boluwatife Amore, founder of Rex Health, is not only changing how healthcare is delivered but also revolutionizing the health tech space with the forthcoming Rex Health App. This app, set for launch in 2024, promises to be a lifeline for students and young professionals, providing preventive care, curative services, and even mental health support, all from the convenience of their smartphones.
In this interview, Boluwatife opens up about his journey into health tech, the motivation behind creating the Rex Health App, and what sets it apart from other healthcare solutions. From personal experiences to the challenges of running a startup in Nigeria, Boluwatife is leading a healthcare revolution that is poised to make a lasting impact on millions of lives.
Can you tell us about Rex Health and its role in healthcare innovation?
Boluwatife Amore: Hello there! I’m Boluwatife Amore, Founder of Rex Health, a venture born out of a deep-seated passion for improving access to quality healthcare, especially for those who might not have it otherwise.
At Rex Health, our mission is simple but profound: to bridge the healthcare access gap and empower the next generation by providing fast, responsive, affordable preventive and curative healthcare services. We want to ensure that every young adult, particularly university students, has the opportunity to lead a healthy life, and we’re achieving this through our flagship product, the Rex Health App.
What inspired the creation of the Rex Health App, and what personal experiences shaped this journey?
Boluwatife Amore: The idea for the Rex Health App was born from a mix of personal experiences and a deep understanding of the healthcare challenges faced by young adults, especially tertiary institution students. I remember the tragic story of Oyin, a student who was misdiagnosed and put on the wrong medication, leading to her untimely death. Her story, along with many others, underscored the urgency of providing accessible diagnostics and timely healthcare.
Lab tests represent 2% of healthcare spending but influence 70% of medical decisions, and about 80% of Nigerians lack access to essential diagnostics. Many students rely on online symptom checkers and delay seeking medical help due to cost or time constraints. The motivation to change this narrative is what drove us to create the Rex Health App—a platform that makes healthcare accessible, affordable, and convenient for students and young professionals.
How do you manage the operational challenges of a health tech startup in Nigeria?
Boluwatife Amore: Balancing the demands of running a health tech startup in Nigeria is no easy feat, but it’s a challenge I embrace with passion. Nigeria is a dynamic country with immense potential, but there are infrastructural limitations and regulatory hurdles. Despite these challenges, I find a deep sense of purpose in what we do at Rex Health. Our goal is to maintain affordability without sacrificing quality, and we rely on advanced analytics to optimize operational efficiency.
I also have an incredible team of young professionals who share the same commitment. We focus on what’s most important—delivering quality healthcare services to our users. Everything else, no matter how pressing, takes a back seat.
What were the biggest milestones and obstacles during the app’s development?
Boluwatife Amore: Developing the Rex Health App has been a journey filled with both challenges and triumphs. From the beginning, we aimed to create an app that wasn’t just functional but also user-friendly and tailored to the needs of students and young adults. One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that the app could handle a diverse range of healthcare needs, from routine check-ups to urgent care, all while maintaining a simple and intuitive user interface.
A significant milestone was the integration of mental health services and menstrual health kit delivery into the app. These are critical areas often overlooked in healthcare solutions, and we’re proud to have built a platform that addresses them with sensitivity and care.
Are there any exciting partnerships you’re working on for the Rex Health App?
Boluwatife Amore: Absolutely! Collaborations are key to expanding our impact. We’re in discussions with several healthcare providers and tech companies to integrate their services into the Rex Health App, ensuring a seamless healthcare experience for our users.
We’re also exploring partnerships with tertiary institutions and student health centers to better align our services with the specific needs of students. These partnerships will allow us to offer even more comprehensive healthcare services.
How have your community outreach programs shaped Rex Health’s vision?
Boluwatife Amore: One memorable experience was speaking to a group of students during one of our outreach programs. Many shared stories of loved ones who had passed away because they couldn’t access timely healthcare.
This reinforced our commitment to making the Rex Health App as accessible and user-friendly as possible so that no one has to suffer in silence or delay their care due to cost or inconvenience.
What unique features does Rex Health App offer compared to other health tech platforms?
Boluwatife Amore: The Rex Health App is designed with our users in mind, which sets it apart from other health tech solutions. Some key features include:
- Comprehensive Care Services: It offers everything from preventive care and primary care to urgent care and mental health support, making it a one-stop healthcare solution.
- Health Savings and Spending: Users can manage their health expenses directly within the app, fostering financial responsibility and ensuring they can address healthcare needs promptly.
- Menstrual Health Kit Delivery: We’ve integrated a system for affordable and fast menstrual health kit delivery, ensuring young women have easy access to quality products.
- Mental Health Integration: We’ve included mental health services to provide counseling, resources, and support for students under stress.
- Education and Wellness Resources: The app provides users with preventive care and health education, empowering them to take charge of their health.
Where do you see Rex Health in the next five years?
Boluwatife Amore: Over the next five years, we aim to expand Rex Health’s reach to every tertiary institution across Nigeria, and eventually to other African countries. Our goal is to continually enhance the app with features like AI-driven diagnostics and personalized health plans, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of health tech innovation. We also plan to build a supportive community within the app, where users can find wellness resources and connect with others on similar health journeys.
Learn more about Rex Health on this journey by visiting myrexhealth.com
