This healthcare startup wants to help Nigerians crowdfund medical emergencies without fear of scams

For millions of Nigerians without adequate health insurance, unexpected medical bills are often covered not by financial institutions but by friends, relatives, colleagues, and sometimes complete strangers. Social media has amplified that culture of giving, making it easier for families to ask for help beyond their immediate circles.

But with greater visibility comes the issue of trust. As online fundraising appeals become more frequent, genuine cases compete with fraudulent ones, leaving many potential donors unsure where their money is actually going.

Beyond that, around 70% to 75% of total healthcare spending in Nigeria is paid out of pocket, as nearly 90% to 95% of the population remains uninsured. This direct cash model leaves many families financially devastated by medical emergencies 

Andrea Aid, a Port Harcourt-based healthtech startup, wants to solve this problem by helping patients raise money. He connects verified patients with donors using his platform.

Building a fundraising platform for healthcare

At its core, Andrea Aid is a medical crowdfunding platform that connects verified patients with people and organisations willing to fund their treatment.

Unlike general crowdfunding platforms, where individuals create campaigns themselves, Andrea Aid places hospitals at the centre of the process. Patients are onboarded through partner hospitals, their medical cases are verified before campaigns go live, and donations are paid directly to hospitals rather than into personal bank accounts.

“We’re big on transparency, authenticity and putting up verified cases,” Kizito Don-Pedro, founder and CEO, says. “Before now, there has been a trend of people putting falsified fundraising needs online. So we’re trying to remove fraud by working with hospitals.”

The approach…