MYDAWA, a Kenyan e-pharmacy startup, has received a $1.2 million grant from the Gates Foundation
MYDAWA, a Kenyan e-health startup, has been awarded a US$1.2 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to increase access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services through its e-pharmacy model, thereby aiding the fight against HIV/AIDS in Kenya.
MYDAWA, which was founded in 2017, enables consumers to purchase authentic high-quality medicines, health and wellness products in a convenient manner through partnerships with healthcare practitioners and suppliers. It has more than 80,000 registered users.
The startup’s virtual, discreet, and convenient PrEP service delivery model has the potential to broaden the reach of PrEP, which has been hampered by the stigma associated with HIV and the open nature of the current onboarding system. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s US$1.2 million grant will help to expand access to this system.
This is consistent with the Gates Foundation’s goal of hastening the global decline in HIV infection and saving lives through improved interventions to prevent new infections and simplified HIV treatment. To date, the foundation has committed more than $3 billion in HIV grants to organizations worldwide.
“MYDAWA will adapt its current model to ensure a seamless end-to-end customer-centered delivery solution for those seeking PrEP across the country,” MYDAWA CEO Tony Wood said.
“In particular, this investment will build on MYDAWA’s well-established model to expand PrEP delivery online.” We will develop this model in collaboration with the University of Washington, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Jhpiego, and Audere, and will assess its feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness in expanding PrEP’s reach. In addition, we will generate the necessary evidence and lessons learned to support policy change and further donor commitment to this approach.”
MYDAWA previously received a US$3 million grant from the Africa HealthCare Master Fund to help accelerate its planned countrywide expansion.
