Together, they set out to build Medwaka, an emergency response platform that connects patients experiencing medical emergencies with nearby hospitals, ambulances, and trained first responders through a mobile app. The end result was Medwaka, turning the blood drive platform into an emergency response network. The founders had envisioned Medwaka as a 911-style emergency response system, Essence noted, but they realised that such ambition depended on infrastructure they did not control. According to Essence, the partnership model changed how Medwaka created impact, allowing it to focus on strengthening existing emergency response systems. The company also expanded its offerings to include emergency response technology, first responder capacity building, digital emergency coordination tools, and healthcare system integration, he said.