FactCheck Initiative expands Kaci Help v2 to include HMO Access, SOS Chat, Beep sharing
Over 90% of Nigerians face medical emergencies without health coverage, often paying out of pocket at up to five times the normal cost. Kaci Help v2.1 aims to change this, said Adeoye Temitope, founder of the Kaci Help App (Know, Act, Care, Inform).
Temitope traced Kaci’s evolution from Zuri, a WhatsApp chatbot he launched in 2020, to Kaci Help in 2022 and its first mobile release in 2023. He explained that the platform was designed as a citizen engagement and safety support tool, with the Joint Emergency Response and Citizen Engagement (JERCE) framework proposed as a structured model for collaboration between citizens and public institutions.
While public institutions were engaged and acknowledged Kaci’s potential, highlighting certain operational gaps, no formal decision or follow-up has been communicated by them to date.
“That changed everything,” Temitope said. “We realized Kaci could not rely solely on authorities, which is why guardians, family, and friends were prioritized in the SOS Emergency and TravelSafe features.” This approach reshaped Kaci’s focus on data security and citizen safety, positioning the platform beyond direct emergency response.
User anonymity remains central. Features such as iReport, Consultation, and Beep posts are built to protect identities by default. Strict access controls and encryption ensure citizens can report issues and seek support safely, without fear of exposure or misuse of their data.
On subscriptions, Temitope explained: “Every signup, password reset, or emergency triggers notifications via SMS, WhatsApp, and Email to users and their Guardians. Subscriptions are what keep Kaci alive.”
A major addition is HMO access through Consultation. Users on paid plans can select their preferred HMO and location, receive a Primary Care Provider, chat live, and be connected to hospitals if needed, making healthcare affordable and timely for those without coverage.
Other tools include Consultation for agency advice, Live Chat for real-time follow-ups, Beep for posting openly or anonymously, sharing climate results, interacting via likes, saves, reports, hashtags, trending searches, and location filters, and Subscription services for sustainability. These complement Kaci’s core features: Emergency, TravelSafe, Ambulance, iReport, Suggestion, Feedback, InfoBank, Climate, Alerts, and the Kaci Security Number (KSN).
Available in 11 languages, Kaci complies with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and GDPR, encrypts all user data, and is powered by FCI with technical support from IDC Platforms.
“Kaci Help v2.1 is not just about emergencies. It is about health, consultation, accountability, and creating a space where your voice matters,” Temitope concluded.
The app is now live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
