Little surgeons: Maggot wound care

Photo courtesy of Amref International University.
 

Congratulations to MaggoCare, third-place winner of the ‘From Idea to Impact – Building a Public Health (Social) Enterprise’ business plan competition! 

When the MaggoCare founders saw maggots – a ‘last-ditch’ treatment method – healing a patient’s dangerously deteriorating wound, the proverbial light bulb blinked on, and their idea for a public health enterprise was born. 

MaggoCare aims at delivering medical-grade maggots for Maggot Debridement Therapy (MDT). MDT is a cost-effective, biological alternative for managing chronic wounds from diabetic injuries, pressure ulcers, deep traumas, or non-healing infected wounds. 

“We, as medical professionals, have witnessed how underserved populations suffer from the burden of chronic wounds, wounds that are not only physically painful but emotionally and financially draining. We have seen patients lose hope after several unsuccessful treatments, endure social stigma due to odor, and in some cases, face the sad reality of preventable amputations simply because effective care was out of reach.” 

MaggoCare exists to change this narrative. 

The founders earned seed money to launch MaggoCare in the business plan competition, a culmination of their year-long entrepreneurial training in the ‘From Idea to Impact’ program by Amref International University (AMIU) and the Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation. Twenty-two students took part, developing critical skills and sharpening their business plans. 

MaggoCare is the brainchild of Dennis Kioko, Sharon Bhoke, Beatrice Kilai, Jason Kimoi, Harriet Mumbi and Esther Nadzua. They witnessed the “phenomenal outcomes” of MDT while conducting clinical training at Kenyatta University Teaching Referral and Research Hospital. Hospital staff encouraged their enterprise idea. 

“We want to ensure that no patient suffers due to lack of resources or awareness, by providing an affordable, highly effective method of wound debridement. We hope to transform perceptions around MDT and integrate it into mainstream wound care practices across Kenya and Africa. Healthcare is a right, not a privilege,” say the founders.

Next steps to launch

MaggoCare will establish a small-scale, controlled production setup for medical-grade maggots, since it does not yet have a dedicated facility. The founders plan to partner with an existing laboratory (like at the University of Nairobi) to ensure sterile conditions and proper quality control from the start.

At the same time, they will approach hospitals to establish partnerships for pilot programs. While MDT is known among most healthcare providers, it remains underutilized – due to limited access to ready-to-use maggots and lingering stigma around the treatment.

The MagoCare founders say that “by supplying a consistent, sterile source of maggots and clear, easy-to-follow usage protocols, we aim to eliminate these barriers.”

The team’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

“Just start. There’s no perfect time and you’ll never feel fully ready. If you wait, you might never begin. What matters is having enough belief in your idea to take the first step and the discipline to keep going even when things feel uncertain.

Most importantly, stay close to the problem you want to solve. When you have a true understanding of the people you are building for, it keeps you grounded and reminds you why you started.

Challenges will come. Your idea wouldn’t be refined without them; learn continuously and adapt.”

Discover more about the 'From Idea to Impact' education program here.