Utilizing technology to improve access to sexual and reproductive health information, products, and services in Nigeria and beyond.
Morenike Fajemisin is a pharmacist by training and spent several years as Director of Regulatory Affairs and Marketing at DKT International, one of the leading providers of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) products worldwide. Morenike was instrumental in establishing DKT’s operations and team in Nigeria, resulting in DKT being the largest provider of contraceptives and other SRH products in Nigeria. Although the availability of SRH products and services has significantly expanded, there are still social and behavioral barriers that inhibit access, especially for young people.
Use of contraceptives and HIV testing in Nigeria remains low, despite millions of unintended pregnancies and abortions per year and Nigeria having one of the highest rates of new HIV infection in Sub-Saharan Africa. Other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) testing is also underutilized and one out of every 5 women in Nigeria has given birth by the age of 18. Morenike has witnessed how the stigma and taboo around SRH drives risky behaviors and negative health outcomes for young people and communities.
Morenike has launched a digital platform called Whispa Health with the vision to improve access to SRH information, products, and services in Nigeria and to reduce the rate at which young people seeking sexual healthcare are discouraged by myths, misconceptions, and biased health professionals. Morenike and her team have designed and released a mobile app called Whispa to be a comprehensive platform that can provide quality sexual health education, private or anonymous telemedicine consultations, balanced contraceptive counselling, and an affordable means to book contraceptive appointments, cervical cancer screening and vaccination, comprehensive tests for STIs and more. The goal is to firmly establish Whispa as a leading digital health provider in Nigeria and then explore expansion opportunities both regionally and globally.
UP is supporting Morenike to further develop and formalize Whispa Health’s management and leadership team in order to pursue their key strategic goals over the next year including marketing, recruitment and retention, and product development.
Learn more about Morenike Fajemisin and Whispa Health here.
Morenike Fajemisin is a pharmacist by training and spent several years as Director of Regulatory Affairs and Marketing at DKT International, one of the leading providers of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) products worldwide. Morenike was instrumental in establishing DKT’s operations and team in Nigeria, resulting in DKT being the largest provider of contraceptives and other SRH products in Nigeria. Although the availability of SRH products and services has significantly expanded, there are still social and behavioral barriers that inhibit access, especially for young people.
Use of contraceptives and HIV testing in Nigeria remains low, despite millions of unintended pregnancies and abortions per year and Nigeria having one of the highest rates of new HIV infection in Sub-Saharan Africa. Other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) testing is also underutilized and one out of every 5 women in Nigeria has given birth by the age of 18. Morenike has witnessed how the stigma and taboo around SRH drives risky behaviors and negative health outcomes for young people and communities.
Morenike has launched a digital platform called Whispa Health with the vision to improve access to SRH information, products, and services in Nigeria and to reduce the rate at which young people seeking sexual healthcare are discouraged by myths, misconceptions, and biased health professionals. Morenike and her team have designed and released a mobile app called Whispa to be a comprehensive platform that can provide quality sexual health education, private or anonymous telemedicine consultations, balanced contraceptive counselling, and an affordable means to book contraceptive appointments, cervical cancer screening and vaccination, comprehensive tests for STIs and more. The goal is to firmly establish Whispa as a leading digital health provider in Nigeria and then explore expansion opportunities both regionally and globally.
UP is supporting Morenike to further develop and formalize Whispa Health’s management and leadership team in order to pursue their key strategic goals over the next year including marketing, recruitment and retention, and product development.
Learn more about Morenike Fajemisin and Whispa Health here.