In an era driven by technology, Altibbi has emerged as a success story that showcases the power of digital innovation in transforming healthcare. Altibbi, which means “My Doctor” in Arabic, is a leading digital health platform that has revolutionized access to medical information and virtual healthcare services in the Middle East. Altibbi, a digital health platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), was launched in 2008 by Jalil Labadi and his father, Dr. Abdel Aziz Labadi, in Amman, Jordan. The platform aimed to provide reliable, up-to-date, and simplified medical information in Arabic to users in the region. Initially created as an online Arabic medical dictionary, Altibbi has since evolved into a comprehensive telemedicine platform offering a wide range of medical services. By leveraging the capabilities of technology, Altibbi has bridged the gap between patients and healthcare professionals, empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being.
Breaking Down Barriers
Altibbi was founded in 2008 with a vision to overcome the barriers to healthcare in the region. In many parts of the Middle East, access to quality medical care is limited due to factors such as geographical distances, lack of healthcare infrastructure, and cultural constraints. Altibbi aimed to address these challenges by providing an online platform where people could access trusted medical information and connect with qualified healthcare providers remotely.
Comprehensive Medical Information
One of the key features of Altibbi is its extensive medical information database, covering a wide range of health topics and conditions. The platform provides reliable, up-to-date content created by medical professionals in multiple languages. Users can access articles, videos, and illustrations to educate themselves about various health issues, symptoms, and treatment options. Altibbi ensures that the information is accurate and reliable, enabling individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
Virtual Consultations
Altibbi goes beyond providing medical information and offers virtual consultations with healthcare professionals. The journey of Altibbi began when Dr. Abdel Aziz Labadi returned from Germany in 2004 and launched the “Medical Glossary” in Arabic. In 2010, Jalil Labadi expanded on his father’s glossary, turning it into a multi-service medical website. In 2016, Altibbi activated remote consultation services, enabling users to contact doctors at any place and time through the internet or telephone. Through its telemedicine services, individuals can connect with doctors, specialists, and therapists via video or audio calls. This feature has proved to be invaluable, especially for those who face challenges in accessing healthcare due to geographical or logistical constraints. Altibbi has made healthcare more accessible, convenient, and cost-effective for patients across the Middle East, particularly in remote areas.
Personalized Health Tools
Altibbi understands the importance of personalized healthcare. The platform offers a range of interactive tools and features to help users assess their health conditions, track symptoms, and monitor progress. From symptom checkers to personalized health plans, Altibbi empowers individuals to take an active role in managing their health. These tools, coupled with the advice and guidance of healthcare professionals, promote preventive care and early intervention, leading to better health outcomes.
Funding and A Trusted Partner
Altibbi has attracted significant investments over the years, raising $500,000 in 2014 and another $500,000 in 2015. In 2017, it raised $6.5 million in a Series B funding round led by Middle East Venture Partners and Dash Ventures. In March 2023, Altibbi raised $44 million in funding to drive its growth in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. To date, the company has raised a total of $52.5 million in funding.
Altibbi has gained the trust of millions of users across the Middle East by prioritizing user safety and privacy. The platform ensures that all healthcare providers on their network are certified professionals who adhere to strict standards of care. Robust security measures protect user data, ensuring the confidentiality of personal health information. Altibbi’s commitment to quality and reliability has positioned it as a trusted partner in the region’s healthcare ecosystem.
Continued Growth and Impact
Today, Altibbi serves more than a million unique visitors daily and conducts 5,000 to 6,000 consultations. It has conducted over 4.5 million consultations, hosts more than two million pages of content, and has 1,500-plus certified doctors on the platform. The company offers 24-7 telehealth services in seven countries in the MENA region.
With the new funds, Altibbi plans to expand its offerings into online pharmacy and diagnostics collection, increase investments in machine learning to support doctors in providing precise diagnoses, referrals, and prescriptions, and focus on growing vertically in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The company is also considering a possible initial public offering (IPO) in the next two to three years, aiming to become the first publicly listed digital health unicorn in the GCC.
Altibbi’s success story demonstrates the power of innovation, determination, and strategic investments in transforming a simple idea into a comprehensive telemedicine platform that serves millions of people across the MENA region.