Daniel Irowa-Omoregie, Co-Founder and Chief Health Officer of Arteri, is on a mission to revolutionise healthcare access and financing across Africa. Drawing from his extensive experience in medicine and public health, he has created a tech-enabled platform that addresses systemic inefficiencies in healthcare. With over 90 per cent of Nigerians uninsured and a massive healthcare infrastructure gap, Arteri offers innovative solutions such as flexible financing, pay-with-waste initiatives, and embedded financing for healthcare providers. In this exclusive interview with The Guardian’s Wisdom Nwachukwu, Irowa-Omoregie shares the inspiration behind Arteri, its milestones, and his vision for transforming healthcare for underserved communities in Africa.

Welcome, Daniel. Thank you for joining us today. As the Co-Founder and Chief Health Officer at Arteri, can you share what inspired you to start this innovative venture?

Daniel Irowa-Omoregie: Thank you for having me. The inspiration behind Arteri stems from my extensive experience in public health and the glaring inequities I observed in accessing quality healthcare across Africa. With over 90% of Nigerians uninsured and a healthcare infrastructure gap of over $10 billion annually, it became evident that traditional solutions weren’t enough to address these challenges. I wanted to create a platform that not only simplifies access to health coverage but also introduces innovative financing models to make healthcare affordable and accessible for everyone, especially underserved communities.

That’s an inspiring mission. Could you give us an overview of Arteri and its core vision?

Daniel Irowa-Omoregie: Absolutely. Arteri is a tech-enabled platform designed to revolutionize how individuals, healthcare providers, and even the diaspora access and finance healthcare. For individuals, we simplify the process of finding and obtaining health coverage, offering flexible financing options like zero upfront costs and pay-with-waste initiatives for the underserved. For healthcare providers, we provide tools to plug revenue leaks and access operational and equipment financing. Finally, for the diaspora, we help them navigate complex health systems and provide tailored plans for their families back home. Our ultimate vision is to build a healthcare ecosystem where access and affordability are no longer barriers to quality care.

With your impressive background in medicine and public health, how has your education and experience prepared you to lead Arteri?

Daniel Irowa-Omoregie: My educational journey and professional experience have been pivotal in shaping my role at Arteri. I hold a Bachelors of Medicine, Bachelors of Surgery degree from Obafemi Awolowo University and have worked extensively with international development partners to improve access to healthcare through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund in Nigeria. My time working on the basic healthcare provision fund equipped me with the operational expertise to address systemic inefficiencies. These experiences, combined with my passion for leveraging technology to solve health challenges, have allowed me to guide Arteri in developing impactful solutions tailored to the unique needs of our communities.

What specific problems does Arteri aim to solve, and how does the platform address these challenges?

Daniel Irowa-Omoregie: Arteri tackles two major problems: the lack of access to suitable health coverage and the financial burden of healthcare. For individuals, finding and affording health insurance among over 200 options can be daunting. Many plans require full upfront payment, which is out of reach for most Nigerians. Arteri simplifies this by aggregating available plans and providing flexible financing options. For healthcare providers, cash flow issues often hinder their ability to invest in better equipment or expand services. We address this with embedded financing solutions like CareMonie, which helps providers grow sustainably while improving patient access.

That’s innovative. Could you share some of Arteri’s key achievements and milestones so far?

Daniel Irowa-Omoregie: Certainly. To date, Arteri has completed partnerships with twenty-five health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and prepaid coverage providers to distribute their products. Additionally, we’re in finalized agreements with VFB Microfinance bank to integrate our financing solutions. We’ve also partnered with GIVO, a recycling agency to provide health insurance to over 2000+ vulnerable individuals who have upfront access to health coverage plans in exchange for monthly remittances of recyclable products. Arteri currently has over 10 healthcare facilities that are utilizing our financing service to improve their infrastructure.

What impact do you envision Arteri having on healthcare access and financing in Africa?

Daniel Irowa-Omoregie: Our goal is to transform healthcare accessibility and affordability in Africa. By digitizing health coverage and introducing innovative financing models, we aim to bridge the gap for millions of uninsured individuals. Beyond insurance, we want to empower healthcare providers to improve their services and infrastructure, creating a ripple effect of better care for patients. Ultimately, we see Arteri as a platform that can enhance trust in local healthcare systems while reducing financial barriers to care.

That’s an ambitious vision. What are your plans for scaling Arteri and its solutions to reach even more communities?

Daniel Irowa-Omoregie: Scaling is a core focus for us. We plan to pilot Arteri in key regions with high demand for health coverage and financing solutions. From there, we’ll expand by building partnerships with additional HMOs, healthcare providers, and financial institutions. Leveraging technology like APIs and partnerships with recycling companies for pay-with-waste initiatives will help us reach underserved populations. Our long-term goal is to establish Arteri as the go-to healthcare platform across Africa and eventually expand to other emerging markets.

Thank you for sharing your insights, Daniel. It’s exciting to see how Arteri is addressing these critical challenges. We look forward to seeing how your vision continues to unfold.

Daniel Irowa-Omoregie: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure discussing Arteri and our mission to transform healthcare in Africa. Together, we can build a future where quality healthcare is accessible and affordable for everyone.