"Looking shy about purchasing condoms? Check us out!"
In the heart of Berlin, WHISPA Health was born in 2015, with a mission to tackle the taboo topic of sexual and reproductive health, particularly in hyper-religious societies like Nigeria. Founded by Morenike Fajemisin, the app aims to provide discreet access to quality information and resources in this sensitive area.
WHISPA Health offers a variety of features designed to empower users. It has an automated contraceptive feature that helps users determine the most suitable contraceptives for them, and provides delivery or pickup services. Additionally, the app offers a telemedicine platform, enabling users to chat confidentially with certified medical professionals about sexual and reproductive health.
Data privacy and security are of utmost importance to WHISPA Health. The company allocates a substantial amount to these areas, using Amazon's AWS platform for data security and storage.
Meanwhile, Honey&Banana Connect, a digital hub set up by DKT International, has been responding to over 86,000 family planning-related questions across its web platform and social media channels. Since its launch in 2016, the Honey&Banana website has been visited over 172 million times, mostly by individuals between the ages of 15 and 29.
The rapidly growing population of Nigeria, particularly the youth, often faces challenges in terms of sex education. Many may receive inadequate or confusing information, leading to a lack of access to effective contraceptive methods. According to UNFPA data from 2019, only 15% of women in Nigeria use modern contraceptive methods, and 145 per 1,000 girls aged 15-19 gave birth between 2006-2017.
To address this issue, DKT International distributed over 14 million condoms, 8,500 inter uterine devices (IUDs), 15,400 contraceptive injections, 289,000 oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), 198,000 emergency contraceptive pills, and 13,900 HIV self-test kits in October 2020 alone.
WHISPA Health and Honey&Banana Connect are becoming beacons for improving healthcare systems in Africa, particularly in conservative countries like Nigeria. Both platforms partner with licensed doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and pharmaceutical companies to comply with regulatory requirements.
Consultations on the WHISPA Health platform cost ₦250 ($0.5) per consultation or bundled packages for five consultations at ₦1,000 ($2.12) and ten at ₦1,800 ($3.83). Young adults in Nigeria, particularly women, may face judgment and embarrassment when attempting to purchase contraceptives or discuss sexual health issues with pharmacists. Technology tools like WHISPA Health and Honey&Banana Connect are providing much-needed relief in these situations.
As these platforms continue to grow and evolve, they are poised to make a significant impact on sexual and reproductive health in Nigeria and beyond. Their goals include preventing unwanted pregnancies and reducing the risks of contracting and disseminating sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). By providing discreet, accessible, and reliable information and resources, WHISPA Health and Honey&Banana Connect are helping to break down barriers and empower individuals to take control of their sexual and reproductive health.
