Filipino startups are closing the healthcare gap

By Jomarc Angelo M. Corpuz, Special Features and Content Writer

The Philippines has been trying to become a healthier nation by democratizing healthcare through inclusivity and innovation.

As a potential catalyst for change that can benefit millions of Filipinos, the digital health industry in the country is projected to reach almost $1 billion in value by the end of the year, according to online statistics firm Statista. The sector is thriving due to a multitude of reasons, including rising internet and smartphone penetration, local startups harnessing telemedicine, AI, digital platforms, and innovative procurement tools that address accessibility issues.

This surge in digital transformation has given rise to a new generation of healthtech startups that are now allowing the Philippine healthcare system to catch up with the rest of the world. These budding enterprises range from telemedicine platforms that bring doctors to patients’ screens to AI-powered procurement systems that streamline medical supply chains, each of them making the Philippines a little healthier per transaction.

Mediclick, founded in 2020, brands itself as a modern online pharmacy where customers can find high-quality healthcare products and solutions that cater to their needs. With their “meds made easy” feature, Filipinos can conveniently order their medications from home, with same-day delivery that allows patients to quickly begin their recovery without delay. At the startup, they believe that quality healthcare should be accessible to all, which is why the company provided a platform that’s simple, seamless, and easy to use. By bridging the gap between patients and providers, especially for those needing consistent medical support, Mediclick exemplifies how digital tools can enhance continuity of care and convenience.

Another thriving healthtech startup in the Philippines is digital health platform Hive Health. The company offers health maintenance organization (HMO) plans tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and startups, covering outpatient, inpatient, emergency, and dental services. It also provides business owners and human resources (HR) managers with a dedicated dashboard that simplifies tasks like employee onboarding, offboarding, and invoicing. Co-founded at Harvard and Stanford by Camille Ang and Jiawen Tang, this award-winning startup is revolutionizing access to quality, affordable healthcare for millions of Filipinos, one SME at a time.

Matching these budding enterprises is Kindred Health, Inc., founded in 2021 and backed by Pulse 63 Healthcare Ventures. The company is pioneering an integrated ecosystem of women’s health services, as their mantra goes, “comprehensive women’s healthcare designed by women, for women.” Kindred Health offers a variety of services focusing on women’s health, including protection against cervical cancer, understanding reproductive health, as well as easing stress and anxiety.

Beginning its journey as part of the AIM-DBI’s startup accelerator program, SeeYouDoc has since expanded to become a pioneer of telemedicine in the country. The company is a comprehensive healthcare platform that delivers telemedicine solutions for medical professionals and offers a marketplace of healthcare services tailored for patients in the Philippines. Founded in 2018, the startup has made an impact in the lives of Filipinos through projects and collaborations with local and international organizations, including the government through the Department of Health (DoH), the Department of Science and Technology (DoST), the World Health Organization (WHO) Philippines, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Philippines.

Making waves for simplifying procurement and supercharging healthcare, health startup Medhyve is tackling inefficiencies in healthcare procurement through its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered business-to-business platform. On a mission to disrupt the healthcare landscape in the Philippines, the company is improving access to quality healthcare by making first-rate medical products more accessible throughout the country. Medhyve specifically empowers small to medium hospitals with an online medical marketspace fitted with AI-driven business tools and dashboards.

With a vision of ending healthcare poverty through technology in the country, CareSpan Philippines is building a virtual clinic infrastructure that helps healthcare providers deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care online. The startup’s website notes that it is at the forefront of healthcare delivery transformation that improves efficiency & creates new value for quality of care by developing increased capabilities to examine, diagnose and treat patients, and dramatically expanding access to medical services. By combining technology with clinical independence, CareSpan is laying the foundation for a more decentralized, accessible, and sustainable healthcare model in the Philippines.

This model is already making a tangible impact on the ground. In an interview with BusinessWorld, Health Futures Foundation, Inc. (HFI) Executive Director Pedrito B. Dela Cruz shared that the startup had approached the nongovernment organization for the possibility of a collaboration. HFI has been a partner of many national and international agencies, and academic institutions in the various facets of universal and primary healthcare, and advocates and acts in the best interest of the poorest to achieve total health and development.

“They’re already establishing a foothold in a few areas. One is Taguig in Metro Manila. Another is Palawan, where they’ve set up telehealth systems, providing access to primary care services and people, as well as PhilHealth’s E-konsulta package. At the same time, helping the local government unit to enroll indigents to PhilHealth,” he said.

These early successes are promising, but they also highlight hard truth that the digital transformation of healthcare in the Philippines is still in its early stages.

To build on the momentum set by these trailblazing startups, Manila Doctors Hospital (MDH) Information Technology Director Edison T. Dungo encourages healthcare institutions to actively pursue strategic partnerships that align innovation with infrastructure and long-term sustainability.

“The digital transformation of healthcare in the Philippines remains in its nascent stage. Although there have been pioneering achievements — locally developed, specialized solutions are still few and far between. Therefore, it is imperative for Manila Doctors Hospital to collaborate strategically with the government, peer hospitals, and technology providers. Through these partnerships, we can identify digital solutions that best align with our clinical objectives, technological capacity, and cost considerations — ensuring that our digital journey is both effective and accessible,” he said.

Philippine healthcare still has a long way to go to be truly beneficial for all Filipino. However, with the help of startups that are making investments in digital infrastructure, expanding to rural and underserved areas, adhering to data privacy norms, and integrating with public health systems, the country is finally on track to build a smarter, more inclusive healthcare system.