Cliniva: All-in-one healthcare solution for women

Kenya's primary healthcare sector faces significant challenges, with 30% of urban and 70% of rural residents lacking access to nearby providers. Quality of care is inconsistent, and affordability remains a critical issue. Less than 20% of the population have access to any form of health insurance.

Women bear the brunt of this difficult situation as they are usually responsible for caring for family members who are ill. Also, medical specialists in health conditions specific to women, such as menopause and gynaecological issues, are few and too expensive for low-income patients to afford.

Addressing these disparities urgently requires improvements in access to and the quality and affordability of Kenya's healthcare system.

Focusing on women’s primary and preventive healthcare, Cliniva operates neighbourhood “mini-clinics” in and around Nairobi complemented by telemedicine services. As the clinics are highly standardised in their design, new ones can be set up within three weeks. Staffed by nurses and open seven days a week, each of the two clinics Cliniva has opened so far is equipped with basic diagnostic devices, ultrasound and blood sampling equipment, a mini-phlebotomy station and its own medication supply.

A patient’s first encounter with Cliniva usually happens at a clinic, where a trained nurse conducts diagnostics and takes treatment decisions with the support of digital protocols. The nurses are supported by a doctor via tele-medicine for complex decision-making as needed. Patients receive follow-up care and preventive care information via telemedicine as well. About 70% of them are women.

Supported by 10 community healthcare workers, Cliniva also provides free basic health screenings such as blood sugar tests and body mass index measurements in neighbourhoods where it operates. This offer not only improves healthcare accessibility but also raises awareness and promotes preventive public health.

By 2023, Cliniva reached over 25 000 beneficiaries in the communities it serves. That year, 65% of patients were repeat visitors.

Cliniva measures its impact through observation of health outcomes, comparison with market benchmarks and customer feedback. The venture has observed a 25% lower rate of C-sections among pregnant patients and 50% higher treatment compliance among chronic disease patients. Cliniva’s care is 25% cheaper than available alternatives, with patients reporting 80% less time spent traveling and waiting for care.

Cliniva plans to scale its model across Kenya in the next two years, opening two more clinics in Nairobi by year-end 2024 before expanding across the country. Currently, the team sees space for at least 100 more of its clinics across Kenya. Its share of the Resilience Award grant will fund digital marketing and other client acquisition activities, in-house growth and improvement of digital infrastructure and the development and roll-out of new subscription plans. It also looks forward to receiving technical assistance with subscription plan design and impact measurement.

The copyright of all images displayed lies with Cliniva.