At only 33, Ms Chelimo Fatuma Okeke is the managing director of E-Med Kenya an android -based application offering a quick reference for drug information.
She recently spoke to Neville Otuki and below is an extract of the interview of how she managed utilise what was already available (internet) hence becoming her own boss.
What is E-Med all about?
It’s a Android-based application offering a quick reference for drug information to Kenyans. It involves giving information on correct drug dosage and indication.
The application is hinged on the concept of continuing medical education (CME), in which doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners train continuously and get accreditation.
Why an E-Med Facility?
The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) graduate dreamt of having a physical medical facility but has since developed an online pharmacy, a feat she considers much grander in the digital age. The application is hinged on the concept of continuing medical education (CME), in which doctors, nurses and other medical practitioners train continuously and get accreditation.
What was her inspiration for the business venture?
She remembers an incident at Guru Nanak Sikh Hospital in which a patient was rushed in after reacting to Penicillin, a condition called Stevens Johnsons Syndrome in medical parlance. After the case was handled successfully, Ms Okeke had many questions lingering through her mind. How many such incidents go unreported and just how many are fortunate to get quick and correct medication, she wondered.
How did she have an idea breakthrough into the on line business?
“When I went for labour with my second child, I had a laptop with me in the maternity bed and only shoved it aside when the child was near,” says Chelimo. As a drugs marketer, she could wait for hours on end before accessing casualty doctors and nurses in various hospitals and this took a toll on her patience.
This, she says, was a turning point for her and fuelled her resolve to work round the clock to have an online substitute.
“I noted with regret the gap that existed in the industry despite the technological gains made in this era and I vowed to myself to do something about it.”
What are her other achievements?
The government founded and registered My Online Pharmacy Ltd (MOPL), in 2009. In 2011, m-Health was launched followed by e-Health in 2012.
M-health enables access to medical services easily and faster through phones while e-Health provides an online list of public health centres across the country.
Any Financial Gains From the Business Venture So Far?
She has won Sh0.5 million in the Innovation category of the 2012 Enablis ILO Safaricom Foundation Business Plan Competition, her eyes are set for even greater things this year. She has approached GSK in a bid to work out an advertising deal on the Emed-K platform.
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