Highlights :

• Kenyan startup offers virtual consultations and health tips via SMS and WhatsApp
• A hybrid model combines micro-clinics and digital care in underserved areas
• Access Afya targets both individuals and employers with prepaid health plans

The Nairobi-based startup, launched in 2012 by Melissa Menke, has developed a digital health platform that allows users to consult remotely with medical professionals, receive personalized advice through SMS or WhatsApp, and follow up on treatments at a lower cost.

Access Afya’s digital service is supported by physical micro-clinics and local distribution points, creating a hybrid care system that blends technology with on-the-ground services. These micro-clinics are compact, set up within communities, run by certified clinical officers, and open daily. Each site is equipped to deliver a broad range of primary care services—from infectious disease treatment and family planning to first aid and routine diagnostics.

“Our approach is clear and deliberate. We are building a network of community clinics, each one powered by our custom digital tools to ensure that every patient receives consistent, high-quality care. We have standardized every aspect of the care experience to guarantee better outcomes, while automating backend operations to create a truly scalable health system,” the company explains.

By combining patient data with strategic partnerships, Access Afya improves prevention, streamlines diagnosis, and ensures ongoing care. This patient-centered approach has helped the company expand across several low-income urban areas while maintaining a financially sustainable model.

Access Afya serves both individuals and companies. It offers prepaid health packages to employers, with a strong focus on chronic disease management, reproductive health, and pediatric consultations.

By rethinking the entire primary care value chain, Access Afya is positioning itself as a leader in inclusive, tech-driven healthcare in Kenya. The startup is proving that social impact and operational efficiency can go hand in hand in a sector that has long suffered from fragmentation and unequal access.