LocationsReimagining Healthcare Accessibility: Zuri Health’s Journey with timbuktoo
February 6, 2025
The Zuri Health team at their celebration of 4 years in health innovation
Meet Daisy Isiaho, the Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Zuri Health, a virtual hospital and digital healthcare platform providing affordable and accessible medical services. Daisy takes us through her entrepreneurial journey and experience with timbuktoo.
The Story Behind Zuri Health
“Every startup has a story, and ours began with a father’s promise to his daughter. My co-founder, Ikechukwu Anoke, faced a terrifying moment when his daughter, Zuri, almost didn’t survive her birth because a specialist couldn’t be found on time”, Daisy narrates.
That experience changed everything. It inspired a vow—not just to Zuri, but to every child and family—that no one should ever face such an avoidable tragedy. This gave birth to Zuri Health, a startup striving to bring healthcare delivering closer to underserved communities.
Daisy Isiaho, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, Zuri Health
Building Bridges Between Healthcare and Technology
Daisy joined forces with Ikechukwu to set up Zuri Health to make healthcare affordable, accessible, and convenient for all . They designed a multi-platform with mobile apps, WhatsApp, and SMS services to make access to healthcare easier. From booking doctor consultations to lab tests, medication delivery, and chronic care management, they created a system that puts patients first. “The SMS platform is particularly close to my heart. It’s where technology meets inclusivity, bringing healthcare to underserved communities that traditional systems often overlook”, she notes.
WhatsApp bot chat which is enabling improved access to healthcare services
timbuktoo – bringing a transformation
“Partnering with timbuktoo has been a game-changer. Their mentorship and guidance have helped us refine our strategy, scale our operations, and navigate the complex realities of Africa’s healthcare landscape”, Daisy recounts.
For Daisy and the team at Zuri Health, joining the timbuktoo Pan African Healthcare Accelerator Programme, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a game changer. They have been able to apply the techniques learnt from the coaching and mentorships to forge partnerships with pharmaceutical companies. This, according to Daisy, ensures that essential medications are both accessible and affordable, particularly for deprived communities.
The People Behind the Vision
“Our journey has been powered by an incredible team—a group of passionate individuals who believe in the power of innovation to drive change”, Daisy adds.
Whether it is developers building intuitive platforms, medical experts ensuring the highest standards of care, or operations team keeping everything running smoothly, everyone has played a critical role in the story of Zuri Health.
Zuri Health undertakes mobile medical camps, offering free screenings, onboarding patients into their care programmes, and providing them with long-term support using digital platforms.
Looking to the Future
With the business development support and equity-free grant from timbuktoo, Zuri Health is gearing up for the next phase of impact. Their innovative “Care Now, Pay Later” product, according to Daisy, is aimed at ensuring patients access care immediately and pay when they can. The team also plans to expand their mobile clinics and scale up their chronic care programs to reach even more communities.
“Zuri Health’s journey is more than just healthcare. It’s about innovation, resilience, and the belief that technology can bridge the gaps that have held Africa back for far too long”, says Daisy.
What started as a father’s promise to his daughter and a mother’s resilience, is now being driven by a dedicated team who are committed to building a healthier, brighter future for all. This is just one of the many similar African stories, proving that meaningful change is possible with—one idea, one partnership, and one life at a time.We can support more startups like Zuri Health with the right partners onboard timbuktoo.