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About Akindele Opeyemi
Akindele Opeyemi is a visionary healthcare professional who has dedicated his career to advancing point of care testing (POCT) and improving healthcare outcomes in Africa. With an impressive academic background and a passion for innovation, Akindele has emerged as Nigeria’s foremost expert in POCT and a driving force in transforming healthcare delivery across the continent.
Akindele’s journey began at the esteemed University of Ibadan, where he earned a first-class degree in Pharmacy. His exceptional academic performance and unwavering commitment to excellence earned him recognition and set the foundation for his future accomplishments. Akindele’s thirst for knowledge and his dedication to improving healthcare access led him to secure the prestigious Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, allowing him to pursue a Master of Science in Public Health at the University of Bedfordshire in England. This opportunity broadened his global perspective and provided him with the necessary tools to tackle complex public health challenges.
During his time abroad, Akindele gained invaluable experience working with ToHealth Ltd in London, Britain’s leading preventive healthcare company. As a key member of the team, he led a team that delivered thousands of preventive tests, generating insightful data for the UK National Health Service and positively impacting the lives of countless individuals where he worked such as Camden, Islington, Westminster, Chesham, Aylesbury and other parts of England. Akindele’s dedication to providing accessible and accurate diagnostics, coupled with his ability to implement preventive healthcare strategies, positioned him as a trusted expert in the field.
In 2015, driven by a deep sense of purpose to contribute to his home country’s healthcare system, Akindele returned to Nigeria where he founded Instapharm Healthcare as a Teaching and Research Oriented Community Health Practice (TROCHEP). His focus shifted towards community Pharmacy space which he used as his launchpad to improve access to quality healthcare services for underserved populations. Collaborating with physicians, community leaders, and government agencies, Akindele developed innovative approaches to healthcare delivery that emphasized the importance of early detection and accurate diagnostics.
Akindele’s commitment to advancing POCT in Africa is exemplified by his authorship of an authoritative book Clinical Intelligence (see www.selar.co/oxuf) on point of care testing protocols and public health facts for primary healthcare professionals in 2019. This comprehensive publication serves as a vital resource, equipping healthcare practitioners with the necessary knowledge and protocols to provide accurate and timely diagnoses, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes. Akindele’s book is the BNF of POCT, and has become a trusted reference in the field, solidifying his reputation as an expert in POCT and a thought leader in public health.
Driven by an ambitious goal to empower 2 million primary care providers across Africa, Akindele created Nigeria’s first certification program in point of care testing in 2022, the first of its kind on the continent. This groundbreaking initiative has gained international recognition and accreditation from Skill Development Canada, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of POCT in Africa. Through this program, Akindele seeks to enhance the skills and knowledge of primary care providers, ensuring the highest standards of care and enabling accurate and timely diagnoses for patients.
In line with his vision for transforming healthcare delivery, Akindele founded FirstTesta Health Tech, a pioneering startup that has revolutionized the distribution of point of care diagnostic tools in Africa. Through its proprietary software, FirstTesta Health Tech unifies the distribution process by connecting importers and distributors to primary care providers, streamlining the flow of essential diagnostic tools. The platform also manages patient data and enhances the overall healthcare experience, providing a seamless continuum of care. FirstTesta Health Tech has quickly become Africa’s number one digital health platform, setting new standards for healthcare accessibility and efficiency across the continent.
Akindele’s ultimate vision is to help Africans live 20 years longer in sound health. Through his unwavering dedication, innovative thinking, and relentless pursuit of excellence, he continues to inspire and lead the transformation of healthcare in Africa.
His membership of reputable professional bodies include the African Society for Laboratory Medicine, African Primary Healthcare Network, and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria where he finished in the top 0.5% in 2022 to become a licensed practitioner of advertising.
Twitter: @ope_akindele
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/opeyemi.akindele2/
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/opeyemiakindele