For years, issues such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and low testosterone have affected Nigerian men. Yet, the issue remains under-discussed and under-treated due to stigma and cultural perceptions of masculinity. That gap is what Priv Health is tackling.
Priv Health is a digital health startup founded by Joseph Anya and Dr Olusina Ajidahun. The telehealth platform provides discreet, data-driven healthcare for men, addressing sensitive issues that many find difficult to discuss openly.
Launched officially in January 2024, Priv Health says it has already served over 1,000 men, built a community of 8,000 members, and generated ₦19 million in revenue.
“Because men are not getting the care that they need, they have poor health outcomes, higher deaths, and they don’t live as long as women on average. The truth is there are a lot of people building solutions for women’s health, but few for men,” Anya, Co-founder of Priv Health, tells Techpoint Africa.
What You Should Know
In Nigeria, a growing number of unregulated vendors sell supplements that promise instant results but often worsen the problem. Meanwhile, legitimate medical options are scarce, and few men feel comfortable consulting a doctor.
Priv Health steps into that gap, using privacy and technology to make healthcare for men both accessible and dignified.
By offering online consultations, prescription delivery, and home-based lab testing, the startup is reimagining access to men’s healthcare in Nigeria, making it private, convenient, and stigma-free.
How Priv Health Works
Priv Health operates as a direct-to-consumer (D2C) telehealth and e-pharmacy platform focused exclusively on men’s health.
According to the startup, users begin with a digital consultation form that captures symptoms and medical history. A licensed doctor then reviews each case and determines the best course of action, whether that’s a prescription, lifestyle adjustment, or diagnostic testing.
“The doctor determines if you just need a prescription, if you need lab testing, or if it’s to optimise your lifestyle in cases that may not need a prescription. Not everybody gets exactly the same treatment, but it starts with the [registration] process and doctor’s consultation,” Anya explains.
When a prescription is required, Priv Health manages delivery through its logistics partners and, where necessary, coordinates home-based laboratory testing. Samples can be collected from users’ homes, analysed at partner labs, and results delivered discreetly.
The platform covers a broad range of men’s health needs, including sexual performance, hair loss, mental wellness, and hormonal therapy.
A Business Model Built on Privacy and Precision
Priv Health’s operations are designed to make healthcare easy and discreet for Nigerian men. The startup says its three core revenue streams are:
- Consultations: ₦8,000 per virtual appointment with in-house doctors.
- Medications: A 50% markup on supplements and prescribed drugs delivered to users.
- Diagnostics: A 20% commission on laboratory testing arranged through partner labs.
By combining telemedicine with e-commerce logistics, Priv Health offers a seamless healthcare experience that eliminates long hospital queues and social discomfort.
Knowing the Founders
Before founding Priv Health, Anya built an e-commerce bookstore and gained experience at CcHub, WellaHealth, and MoMo. In 2022, he launched Lifebox Labs, a healthtech company focused on chronic disease management.
His co-founder, Dr Ajidahun, brought the medical expertise and a trusted digital presence through his online community, where he discusses men’s wellness and mental health. Together, they decided to build Priv Health as a platform where men could seek help without fear of stigma.
Since launching under Lifebox Labs, Priv Health’s community-first approach has resonated deeply. Beyond healthcare, it serves as a safe space where men can discuss their struggles and learn from one another.
“Aside from healthcare, we’re trying to create a space where men can talk more and be vulnerable about their health issues and get help, like a community but on different platforms,” Anya says.
What This Means
Globally, the men’s health and wellness market was valued at over $1.42 trillion last year, yet Africa remains largely underserved. Analysts say Priv Health’s hyper-focused approach gives it a competitive edge in an ecosystem dominated by generalist healthtechs.
As digital healthcare adoption continues to rise post-pandemic, Nigerian men are increasingly open to telemedicine, especially when privacy is guaranteed. This positions Priv Health to capture a significant share of the market and expand its service offering.
Looking to the future, Priv Health says it plans to venture into pharmaceutical manufacturing, developing its own brand of supplements and medications.
The team says this move will give the startup greater control over product quality and availability while opening up new revenue streams in the pharmaceutical value chain.
By combining discretion, convenience, and empathy, experts say Priv Health is giving men permission to acknowledge their struggles and seek help. It’s also proving that digital platforms can deliver not just healthcare, but also cultural change.
Talking Points
It’s refreshing to see a startup like Priv Health take on an issue that has long been ignored in Nigeria’s healthcare landscape; men’s health.
By building a digital platform that combines telemedicine, pharmacy, and diagnostics, Priv Health is doing more than offering convenience; it’s creating access where stigma once stood.
At Techparley, we view Priv Health as part of a growing wave of hyper-specialised healthtechs using digital platforms to deliver personalised care.
The decision to focus solely on men’s healthcare is both bold and strategic. In a space where most healthtechs pursue broad, generalist models, Priv Health’s niche positioning allows it to build trust, credibility, and community around a clearly defined user base.
Priv Health’s community-driven model is also significant. By creating a safe space where men can talk openly about their health, the startup isn’t just treating symptoms, it’s shifting a deep-seated cultural narrative around masculinity, vulnerability, and wellbeing.
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