We want to normalise mental health care’- Nguvu Health CEO, Joshua Koya talks about his startup
Nguvu Health CEO, Joshua Koya talks about his startup
In Nigeria, and indeed throughout Africa, there is an ever-growing mental health crisis. According to a 2016 study published in the Annals of Nigerian Medicine (ANM), between 20% and 30% of Nigeria's population suffers from mental disorders. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates this number to be around 50 million in 2017, or roughly a quarter of the population.
Nguvu Health, a pan-African health technology startup, is seeking to deploy its solution in the fight against this disease. The startup, which bills itself as an e-mental health company, is officially launching its mental health care solution across Africa, with the goal of providing on-demand online therapy sessions to Africans anywhere in the world.
The startup, founded by Joshua Koya (CEO) and Tolulope Ogunjuyigbe, enables users to easily access affordable therapy sessions from the convenience of their smartphones. The WHO estimates that less than 10% of mentally ill Nigerians have access to necessary care, which is unsurprising given the country's population of less than 150 psychiatrists.
Thus, how many providers of mental health care does Nguvu have on its platform? Joshua Koya, CEO and co-founder, told Technext that the app currently has 26 therapists on board and plans to add 50 more. The CEO, on the other hand, hopes to have 1,000 therapists on board by the end of 2021. These providers of mental health care will come from all over Africa.
According to research conducted by Nigerian Health Watch, there is still widespread stigma associated with people who struggle with mental health issues, as the majority of Nigerians believe they are "mentally retarded, a public nuisance, and a danger due to their violent behavior."
Regarding the stigma issue and how it may contribute to the country's lack of a market for mental health solutions, Joshua stated that this is primarily a concern when people are aware they are going out to see a therapist, as opposed to consulting with one from the comfort of their own homes. He did, however, list several privacy features on the app that safeguard patients' information:
“Users are not permitted to take screenshots of any portion of the Android application. This is to put an end to the'screenshot' craze. Additionally, each time you want to use the app, a phone security lock is required. Additionally, as part of the onboarding process, our therapists sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to ensure the security of our clients' information and sessions.”
Additionally, he stated that the startup will implement an anonymity feature that will prevent therapists from learning the client's identity unless the client chooses to reveal it. Additionally, the company is interested in conducting or supporting outreach programs and advocacy efforts aimed at desensitizing the public.
How Nguvu Health works
Nguvu Health offers both an Android and an iOS application, which can be downloaded from the respective Playstores. After registering on the platform, users can be onboarded. They will be required to complete a brief assessment in order to be matched with a mental health professional. Currently, the platform has over 1,000 users.
There are currently 26 therapists on the platform, the majority of whom are from Nigeria and Kenya. The startup intends to add a significant number of additional members from across Africa before the end of the year. According to Joshua, these mental health professionals undergo an extensive onboarding process before being added to the panel of therapists.
The company's technology connects users with licensed mental health professionals in two ways: through in-app messaging, also known as text therapy, and via video call, also known as video therapy. Sessions are available in English and Swahili.
For a week's subscription to text therapy or 45 minutes of video therapy, the startup charges a base fee of $10 (N3,000 in Nigeria). Additionally, there are monthly and quarterly subscriptions available.
If a patient requires additional support beyond the scope of psychotherapy, they will be referred to such centers at the therapist's recommendation.
Playing a vital role in fighting mental health challenges
As of 2018, the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Nigeria's busiest psychiatric hospital, had seen a 22% increase in the number of new patients with various types of mental illnesses. Additionally, the number of patients struggling with substance abuse has increased by 50%. There is reason to fear the worst, as the country is reportedly running out of mental health professionals.
However, Joshua Koya believes that all is not lost.
“More mental health facilities, as well as more independent private practices, are sprouting up. More money is being spent on mental health care than at any time since the turn of the new decade, so the picture is no longer as bleak as it was five years ago,” he explained.
He also noted an increased use of multidisciplinary treatment (MDT) in the management of mental health, even in public health institutions and primary health care facilities. As a result, he believes Nguvu Health is strategically positioned to play a critical role in this renaissance, which will benefit both therapists and clients.
