In a quiet Nigerian town, a young boy sat hunched over his desk, not with comic books or footballs but with circuit boards and computer manuals. While his peers dreamt of becoming football stars or pop icons, he was already building things, little projects, computer programs, simulations of the world he hoped to one day improve. That boy was John Eyo.
“I was born and raised in Nigeria, and from a young age, I was always fascinated by building things,” John shares. Though he studied geophysics, his real love lay elsewhere. “Even though I studied geophysics, my true passion was in technology, seeing a computer program come to life fascinated me.”
John’s story is one of quiet determination, fierce curiosity, and a deep-seated desire to fix things, not just with tools, but with code. And over the course of more than a decade, he would go on to develop enterprise software solutions across fintech, blockchain, and logistics. But perhaps his most impactful work would be born from personal struggle and an urgent societal need, a digital health platform that is now changing lives across West Africa.
The Birth of DrDoGood
After relocating to Ghana, John was met with a reality many face silently—navigating a healthcare system that was far from user-friendly. “I experienced firsthand how difficult it was to access proper medical care,” he says. The system, he found, was fragmented and impersonal. “The healthcare system lacked personalization, affordability, and continuity, making it hard for people, especially those with chronic conditions, to receive consistent and quality care.”
It was a shared frustration. He and his co-founder had both encountered health issues that exposed the cracks in the system. From that pain point came the seed of an idea. “We decided to build a solution that would change how people experience healthcare.”
That solution became DrDoGood, a digital health platform headquartered in Accra, Ghana. The platform bridges the gap between patients and medical professionals, offering telemedicine consultations, personalized healthcare plans, and even health-related financial services.
Today, DrDoGood isn’t just a tech startup, it’s a movement. With a lean but mighty internal team and a network of over 200 healthcare providers, the company is transforming how Africans access and experience medical care. “We also work with employers and financial institutions to offer innovative health benefits and savings solutions.”
Building Trust in a Traditional World
For John, launching the platform wasn’t as simple as deploying code and flipping a switch. One of the biggest hurdles? Gaining the trust of a population used to traditional, in-person care.
“Many people are used to traditional healthcare systems, and transitioning them to digital solutions takes time,” he says. His team had to lead with education, transparency, and strong collaborations. “We’ve tackled this by focusing on education, transparency, and building strong partnerships with established healthcare providers.”
Funding, too, was a mountain to climb. “As a health tech startup in Africa, securing investment can be difficult,” John explains. But through consistent effort, tangible results, and strategic model refinement, they’ve made headway. “We’ve learned the importance of proving traction, delivering real impact, and continuously refining our business model to attract investors.”
His greatest takeaway from these challenges? “Resilience is key. Every challenge is an opportunity to innovate and refine our approach.”
Real Stories, Real Impact
DrDoGood is not just a business- it’s a lifeline. One of John’s most treasured success stories comes from northern Ghana. “A woman struggled with infertility,” he recalls. Through the platform, she was able to consult a specialist remotely, receive the right care, and eventually conceive. “Her baby is now referred to as the ‘DrDoGood baby,’ a testament to how accessible healthcare can change lives.”
Another proud moment came through their work with Ayadata, a forward-thinking company that partnered with DrDoGood for employee health coverage. The results were eye-opening. “They reduced healthcare costs by over 200% compared to traditional insurance while increasing employee satisfaction and retention.”
These stories are more than just statistics, they are living proof of John’s mission: to bring quality care within reach, no matter where one is.
Mentorship, Code, and Community
While healthcare is his primary focus today, John hasn’t strayed far from his roots in engineering. He leads a dev studio, Xgencode, where he trains engineers and mentors young entrepreneurs. “I’m passionate about mentorship and empowering young entrepreneurs, especially in the tech space,” he says.
He’s also a strong advocate for better healthcare policies that embrace digital transformation. His dream? A future where every African, regardless of geography or income, can access quality medical care at the tap of a screen or a voice call.
Lean, Focused, and Ready for the Future
For budding entrepreneurs with limited resources, John’s advice is simple and powerful. “Start with a clear problem statement—understand the pain points deeply. Leverage technology smartly, partner with existing players, and stay lean. Focus on execution, not just ideas.”
He stresses the importance of building trust, listening to feedback, and refining your service in real-time. “Building a healthcare startup requires patience and trust, so engage with your customers, prove your impact early, and adapt quickly to feedback.”
As for what’s next, John is particularly energized about emerging tech. “I’m particularly excited about the role AI will play in predictive healthcare, helping patients manage chronic conditions more effectively.”
They’re also working to integrate VOIP technology, opening up phone-based consultations for rural populations who may not have stable internet access. “We are expanding our provider network in Ghana and beyond, and we are in discussions for a strategic partnership that will further integrate financial services with healthcare to make medical care more accessible.”
The Legacy of Impact
Looking back, John reflects on his entrepreneurial path not in terms of revenue or user growth, but in terms of impact.
“The most significant lesson I’ve learned is that impact matters more than anything. If you build a business that truly solves a problem and improves lives, success will follow.”
His approach to leadership is grounded in values. “Leadership, for me, has been about resilience, adaptability, and empowering my team to drive our vision forward.”
Though his journey has had its share of hurdles, his eyes are firmly fixed on the horizon. “The journey has not been easy, but knowing that we are making a real difference keeps me going.”
