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In the vast landscape of healthcare innovation in Africa, very few individuals have made such significant impact as Dr Nneka Mobisson-Etuk. As the CEO of mDoc, a digital health company that she co-founded in Lagos, Mobisson-Etuk and her team of professionals leverage technology to improve care for individuals living with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
A beacon of hope for millions, Mobisson-Etuk has dedicated her life to addressing the systemic gaps in healthcare delivery, particularly for underserved populations in Africa. Her journey, deeply intertwined with personal loss, passion for equity, and a relentless drive to make healthcare accessible, tells a story of uncommon resilience and purpose.
Born in March 1975, Mobisson-Etuk is an indigene of Awo Idemmili in Imo State. While she grew up in an intellectually stimulating environment in the United States, her path to becoming a healthcare revolutionary was particularly shaped by the life and passing of her father, Professor Oliver Mobisson. A brilliant mind in his own right, Prof. Mobisson was a celebrated technologist, educator, and innovator who believed in the transformative power of technology for Africa. His contributions to Nigeria’s technological landscape were massive.
As a pioneer of digital education in the country, Prof. Mobisson developed cutting-edge programmes at the then Anambra State University of Technology (ASUTECH) and led efforts to produce Africa’s first commercialised personal computer system. Sadly, however, his relentless work schedule and ethic came at a personal cost. He suffered a massive stroke due to hypertension, leaving him paralysed and battling post-stroke complications. His death in 2010 was a profound loss for his daughter, but it also ignited her resolve to address the systemic healthcare failures that contributed to his untimely demise.
A vision born of grief
The World Health Organisation estimates that by 2030, chronic diseases will be the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing the toll of communicable diseases. For Mobisson-Etuk, her father’s preventable death was emblematic of the growing healthcare crisis on the continent. She resolved to bridge the gap between healthcare providers and patients, particularly for those managing chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
In September 2016, alongside her husband, Imo Etuk, Mobisson-Etuk co-founded mDoc to improve the health outcomes of people living with chronic diseases across Africa. The venture is built on the principle of integrating technology, data, and human-cantered care to bridge the gaps in traditional healthcare systems.
mDoc’s services range from virtual consultations to in-person home visits and tele-education classes. Patients can access health coaching, blood sugar testing, and tailored action plans to manage their conditions effectively. The platform also includes NaviHealth, a free directory of healthcare services across multiple African countries.
Recognising the challenges of digital literacy, mDoc has established community education hubs and deployed ambassadors to engage individuals in markets, hospitals, churches, and mosques. By building digital and health literacy, mDoc empowers individuals to take control of their health, unlocking broader economic potential in the process.
mDoc also focuses on training healthcare professionals. In collaboration with the University of New Mexico, the organisation has trained over 7,000 healthcare providers across 25 African countries through tele-education programmes. These efforts have resulted in significant knowledge gains, fostering trust between providers and patients while improving overall healthcare delivery.
Under Mobisson-Etuk’s astute leadership as CEO, mDoc has touched the lives of over one million people living with chronic diseases and continues to expand its reach across the continent. The organisation’s innovative approach has earned it recognition as Africa’s first “SuperHub,” a status that underscores its pivotal role in transforming healthcare on the continent.
Journey to innovation
Mobisson-Etuk holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (1992-1996), a Master’s in Public Health from Emory University (1996-1998), and dual MD/MBA degrees from Yale University (2002-2004, 1999-2005). She also completed her paediatrics residency at the prestigious Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (2004-2007).
Her journey to mDoc was marked by a series of high-profile roles that honed her expertise and expanded her vision. In addition to her educational qualifications, she completed her pediatrics residency at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where her clinical training deepened her understanding of the complexities of healthcare delivery.
She has held influential positions at organisations such as McKinsey & Company, the World Bank, and Merck & Co., where she focused on strategy development, private healthcare investment, and public health initiatives. As the Executive Director for Africa at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), she led efforts to build sustainable healthcare systems in countries like Ghana, Malawi, and Ethiopia. Her work with IHI, aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality and improving HIV care, laid the groundwork for her transition to digital health entrepreneurship.
Champion of health equity
Dr Mobisson-Etuk is distinguished by her holistic approach to healthcare. She understands that equitable health outcomes require addressing not just medical needs but also the social determinants of health. From advocating for policy reforms to building partnerships with governments and international organizations, she has consistently pushed for systemic change.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mobisson-Etuk is a role model for women and young leaders in Africa. Together with her husband, she has built not just a company but a movement—one that champions the idea that every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to quality healthcare.
However, Mobisson-Etuk’s vision for mDoc extends beyond healthcare delivery. She envisions a continent where improved health literacy unlocks economic potential and drives sustainable development. By equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge to manage their health, mDoc contributes to a healthier, more productive workforce—a critical factor for Africa’s growth.
Mobisson-Etuk’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and a Cartier Awards Finalist. Yet, she remains grounded in her mission, driven by the memory of her father and the millions of others who face preventable health challenges daily.
Her husband and co-founder, Imo Etuk, shares this commitment. A trained electrical engineer with an MBA from New York University, Imo brought his technical expertise to mDoc, helping design the platform that now serves as a model for digital health innovation in Africa.
For Nneka Mobisson-Etuk, mDoc is more than a company—it is a demonstration of the power of innovation, empathy, and determination. It embodies her belief that every person, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to quality healthcare.
“My dad fundamentally believed that technology was the only way we could unlock the potential of Nigeria,” she says. With mDoc, she is proving that his vision was not only possible but highly impactful.