As concerns mount over rising out of pocket medical expenses in Nigeria, stakeholders in Ekiti State have hailed the launch of MedfestCare, a digital health wallet designed to help Nigerians save gradually for healthcare and make instant payments to hospitals when the need arises.
The soft launch and induction of pioneer volunteers took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Civic Center in Ado Ekiti, drawing medical professionals, technology experts and health advocates who described the platform as a timely response to persistent gaps in healthcare financing.
MedfestCare is structured as a digital savings and access platform that enables users to set aside funds for medical needs, locate verified healthcare providers within their vicinity and pay seamlessly for services. Speaking at the event, the Pioneer Provost, College of Medicine, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Professor Rotimi Sanya, commended the promoters of the initiative, noting that innovative financing models are urgently needed in a country where many patients delay treatment due to financial hardship. He said the platform has the potential to improve awareness of available health facilities and complement existing insurance schemes by guiding users toward accredited and reliable providers.
In his address, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MedfestCare, Dr Ayo Igbala Sanya, explained that the platform was conceived in response to recurring challenges faced by patients who struggle to settle medical bills at critical moments. He described MedfestCare as a flexible digital healthcare access and finance solution that gives users control over their funds without restrictive clauses that exclude certain treatments.
According to him, the team will intensify awareness campaigns across social media and other channels to drive adoption, adding that professionals with backgrounds in medicine, finance and technology are behind the system to ensure credibility and reliability.
Providing insight into the operational framework, the Senior Medical Adviser, Dr Abiola Maxwell, said the platform includes provisions for emergencies, even in situations where a user’s wallet balance may be insufficient at the point of care.
He added that the system promotes transparency in healthcare pricing, allowing users to view service costs and make informed decisions. The wallet also allows family members, associations and well wishers to contribute to an individual’s health fund, a feature he said would reduce the risk of financial barriers during urgent medical situations.
On the technology and financial safeguards underpinning the initiative, the Chief Technical Officer, Mr Victor Emeter, assured users that the application was built with robust security architecture to protect confidential data and financial information, while the Chief Financial Officer, Mrs Esther Babalola, noted that the subscription model was deliberately simplified to encourage broad participation without fixed contribution requirements.
The event also featured the induction of pioneer volunteers who were trained as community ambassadors to drive grassroots awareness. The Team Lead of the volunteers, Miss Juliana Ajayi, pledged the corps’ commitment to promoting the platform and supporting its successful rollout across communities.