Google has selected two Kenyan health startups, Zuri Health and iZola Limited, to participate in a three-month telemedicine Growth Academy program.

The program focuses on infusing artificial intelligence (AI) into the healthcare sector.

These startups are among 30 globally chosen for the program, with five of them based in Africa.

The program aims to support promising startups that utilize AI technology to grow and innovate responsibly.

The training will encompass mentorship and networking events, enabling founders to develop data-driven strategies.

In addition, these strategies will be crucial to helping them establish new customer relationships and partnerships.

Additionally, the program will enable them to leverage emerging technologies to expand into new markets.

Telemedicine Kenyan start-ups 

Zuri Health and iZola Limited are both involved in telemedicine, all aimed at the principle of the program.

However, iZola focuses on providing support to families with neurodivergent children through an AI-integrated therapeutics platform.

Telemedicine in Kenya has been gaining momentum, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, a study published in the International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications highlights conflicting viewpoints on its rollout.

It points out that there are still challenges to its widespread use and implementation at scale in the country.

However, these challenges include regulatory, infrastructural, legal, and financial issues.

The study suggests that incorporating telemedicine into healthcare provider training programs could help promote its awareness and adoption.

A 2020 report by 6Wresearch forecasted significant growth in Kenya’s Telehealth market over the next decade.

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Consequently, this shift was driven by rising healthcare costs, technological innovations, and efforts to improve healthcare accessibility, particularly in remote areas.

Google has been actively supporting African startups through its Google for Startups Accelerator programs.

This far a total of 106 startups from 17 African countries have received support.

In brief, these startups have collectively raised over $263 million in funding and created more than 2,800 jobs.

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