Addressing Africa's Urgent Health Challenges
Nigerian e-health company Field has launched a groundbreaking route-to-market service designed to introduce new therapies aimed at tackling critical health issues, such as maternal mortality, newborn and child health, and nutrition. Backed by $11 million in funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this initiative is set to transform healthcare delivery across Africa by leveraging technology, infrastructure, and partnerships to accelerate the availability of emerging therapies.
This new service underscores Field’s commitment to using technology and data-driven approaches to improve access to healthcare in Africa, while also supporting local governments and healthcare providers in scaling their operations.
Strengthening Healthcare Infrastructure in Africa
Founded in 2015, Field has established itself as a leading pharmaceutical supply chain provider in Nigeria and Kenya, working closely with African governments to deliver large-scale healthcare programs. The company serves small private pharmacies and healthcare providers, offering data-led technology that enhances inventory management and access to essential medical products.
Over the past eight years, Field has facilitated more than 800 million health interventions across 60 therapeutic areas, including family planning, HIV, and Tuberculosis. This experience has positioned Field as a key player in the African healthcare ecosystem, driving solutions that benefit both public and private sectors.
Expanding Reach with Emerging Therapies
Field’s new route-to-market service will further enhance its ability to bring cutting-edge therapies to the forefront. The company’s proprietary technology, distribution networks, and financing services currently support over 40,000 healthcare providers, both private and public. Through this initiative, Field aims to accelerate the introduction of new healthcare technologies and therapies, offering a faster, more efficient path to market.
Digitizing Healthcare at All Levels
The new service will introduce a wide-reaching digitization overhaul for healthcare providers, including private hospitals and public healthcare bodies at both state and federal levels. By providing financing options, Field will help these institutions improve their operational efficiencies and enhance their purchasing capabilities, enabling them to provide better care to patients.
Additionally, Field’s innovative approach includes last-mile delivery solutions to ensure that healthcare providers can access essential medicines and equipment on a daily basis. The installation of pharma-grade refrigerators will also be a key feature, ensuring that temperature-sensitive medications remain viable as they reach the hands of those who need them most.
Building a Collaborative Coalition
To support its ambitious goals, Field is forming a coalition that includes African governments, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and other key stakeholders. This coalition aims to create one of the continent’s most comprehensive and impactful maternal health programs to date. By fostering collaboration between the private and public sectors, Field hopes to scale its solutions even further and address the most pressing health challenges faced by African countries.
The Role of Technology in Public Health
Michael Moreland, CEO and founder of Field, emphasized the role that technology will play in this initiative. He explained, “This is public health powered by technology, and today’s announcement recognizes the products and services that Field has built over the past eight years, which are now scaled and integrated into large-scale public health programs.”
Moreland further highlighted the importance of forming impactful partnerships between private and public entities, stating that health technology companies like Field should be at the forefront of such initiatives, helping to deliver real change in healthcare systems across Africa.
Support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
The launch of this new initiative is made possible by an initial $11 million investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This funding acknowledges Field’s dedication to introducing emerging therapies and transforming the pharmaceutical supply chain to address Africa’s most urgent health priorities.
Moreland said, “Digitally powering, networking, and financing health systems at scale will have an overwhelmingly positive effect on access to quality care. With funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, we are set to rapidly improve mother and child survival in every setting.”
Scaling Technology Solutions Across Africa
Field’s expansion into the maternal and child health sectors is just one part of its broader vision. The company has steadily grown its presence across the continent, continually scaling its technology and healthcare solutions. Through Field Supply, the company has developed Africa’s largest pharmaceutical supply chain platform, providing efficient access to essential medicines and health products.
Additionally, Field’s distribution service, Shelf Life, has become a key driver of healthcare delivery in Nigeria and Kenya. The service distributes over 3,000 quality pharmaceutical products across more than 50 therapeutic areas, reaching more than 2,500 pharmacies and hospitals in 24 cities. This extensive network allows Field to ensure that essential medical supplies are available where they are needed most, improving access to healthcare for millions of people.
Field’s Vision for the Future
As Field continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to provide scalable, technology-driven solutions that improve access to healthcare across Africa. The company’s new route-to-market service is part of a long-term strategy to bridge the gap between emerging therapies and the healthcare providers who need them. By digitizing and financing health systems, Field is creating a stronger, more resilient healthcare infrastructure that can adapt to the region’s evolving needs.
Looking forward, Field is poised to play a key role in addressing Africa’s most pressing health challenges, with a focus on maternal health, child survival, and nutrition. The combination of advanced technology, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to public health makes Field a vital player in shaping the future of healthcare in Africa.
