She requested that I provide a symptom-something common and genuine. I described a minor health concern that had persisted longer than expected, something I had intended to investigate. As she entered my symptom into the chat interface, I observed the AI-powered triage system activate, much like entering a query into a search engine.
Shortly after, a series of prompts appeared, each designed to refine the diagnosis by asking targeted questions. It inquired about the onset of the symptom, its duration, whether it had spread, and its intensity. Within moments, the AI compiled a detailed report outlining potential causes, explained the rationale behind each possibility, recommended the appropriate type of specialist, and provided a list of professionals available for consultation.
All this happened without me needing to leave my seat, wait in a clinic, or complete any paperwork. In just a few minutes, I had clear, precise information to discuss with a healthcare provider.
This innovative tool is part of Débbo Africa, a women’s health startup founded by Nigerian physicians Dr. Zara Modibbo and Dr. Aisha Wanka. Their mission is to bridge the gender gap in healthcare by simplifying access and navigation for African women.
Many women have shared experiences of feeling ignored or dismissed by medical professionals, often feeling unheard despite voicing their concerns. Complaints frequently highlight rushed appointments or skepticism when symptoms aren’t visibly apparent. However, Dr. Modibbo emphasizes that this silence is not always intentional neglect. “Our healthcare systems are often overwhelmed and under-resourced, with a shortage of specialists,” she explains.
For three years, Débbo Africa has served as a women-focused healthcare platform, offering virtual consultations, diagnostic testing, imaging services, peer support, and access to specialists across various disciplines. Their latest advancement is MyDébboApp, a digital extension that leverages AI to triage symptoms and direct users toward appropriate care.
Débbo Africa concentrates on conditions that disproportionately impact African women, such as uterine fibroids, menopause complications, and cervical cancer. African women experience uterine fibroids at rates three to four times higher than women of other ethnicities. Cervical cancer remains the leading cause of female mortality in 21 of the 48 sub-Saharan African countries. Among the 20 nations with the highest cervical cancer rates globally, 18 are located in the WHO African region. By focusing on these critical health issues, Débbo Africa addresses some of the continent’s most neglected yet prevalent challenges, where delays in diagnosis and treatment can have devastating effects.
An app that truly hears you
At the heart of MyDébboApp lies Dr. Déb, an AI triage assistant designed to mimic the initial evaluation a doctor performs during an in-person visit. It engages users with structured follow-up questions based on their typed symptoms, helping women clearly express their health concerns before consulting a clinician. The goal is to shorten the time between symptom recognition and receiving professional medical advice.
Globally, studies have shown that many AI health tools can provide inaccurate or even harmful guidance. A 2025 MIT Media Lab study found that users often trust AI-generated medical advice despite its low accuracy, sometimes following dangerous recommendations or seeking unnecessary care.
Débbo Africa stresses that Dr. Déb is not a guesswork machine. Instead of attempting to replace doctors, it listens attentively, organizes symptoms logically, and offers suggestions that can be reviewed by healthcare professionals. It helps users comprehend their symptoms and identifies the most suitable type of medical expert to consult. “Every triage result undergoes human review, and all medical decisions are made by licensed clinicians,” Dr. Modibbo assures.
Unlike generic AI chatbots, Dr. Déb was developed with a human-in-the-loop framework, ensuring that every aspect of the tool is vetted by doctors and clinical specialists on the Débbo Africa team to guarantee medical reliability. For the founders, this technology enhances efficiency: the sooner a woman can articulate her symptoms, the sooner she can connect with qualified care. “Dr. Déb is not an autonomous AI; it’s a human-centered tool designed to support, not replace, healthcare professionals,” Dr. Modibbo explains.
During the demonstration, I observed how the app removes uncertainty by guiding users to the right specialist without guesswork. It creates a structured dialogue and then links users to available experts-many of whom are female-for either virtual or in-person appointments. “Women’s health issues can be sensitive, and some may prefer consulting female doctors. We’ve incorporated that option into our system,” Dr. Modibbo adds.
All consultations are documented, with doctors’ notes and summaries saved in the user’s in-app medical record, accessible anytime. Users can also upload previous medical documents to provide a comprehensive health history. The platform features a moderated community space where women exchange experiences and access culturally tailored health information relevant to their conditions.
Consultation fees range from ₦3,000 to ₦5,000 ($2.05-$3.41) for general practitioners and ₦20,000 to ₦30,000 ($13.66-$20.49) for specialists. Débbo Africa employs a freemium model, allowing free access to educational materials, community forums, and the AI triage tool to lower barriers to initial care. The team is continuously refining the app to accommodate varying literacy levels and digital skills. While the current version operates primarily in English, future updates will include local languages and culturally relevant expressions to help women describe symptoms naturally.
Since its inception, Débbo Africa has facilitated over 1,000 diagnostic procedures across 10 Nigerian states and collaborated with more than 100 medical specialists. The public launch of MyDébboApp is planned for early 2026, following final improvements and feature enhancements. Beyond consultations, the team is developing integrations for pharmacy deliveries and personal health tracking, aiming to make MyDébboApp a comprehensive gateway to women’s healthcare in Africa.
What impressed me most during the demo was the app’s simplicity. Healthcare professionals often caution against the “Dr. Google syndrome,” where self-diagnosis via search engines can cause unnecessary anxiety. As someone who habitually searches symptoms online, it was comforting to encounter a trustworthy, reliable resource ready to assist.
Ultimately, MyDébboApp restores a sense of reassurance during those uncertain moments when something feels wrong but the cause is unclear. Its true strength lies in providing women with dependable answers from a system that genuinely listens.