Helium Health Alternatives: Hospital Management Systems for Africa (2026)

Helium Health has become one of the most recognized health technology companies in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria. However, hospitals across Africa increasingly seek alternatives that offer offline functionality, more flexible pricing, and broader pan-African coverage. This guide examines the best Helium Health alternatives for hospitals and clinics in 2026, comparing features, pricing, and suitability for different healthcare settings.

Helium Health Overview

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Helium Health offers HeliumOS, a cloud-based electronic health records and hospital management platform. The company has expanded across West Africa and into parts of East Africa, positioning itself as a modern healthcare technology provider for the African market.

What Helium Health does well:

• Cloud-Based EHR: Modern electronic health records system built for African hospitals
• Nigerian Market Expertise: Deep understanding of Nigeria's healthcare landscape and regulatory requirements
• Clinical Workflows: Good clinical documentation and patient management features
• Revenue Cycle: Billing and claims management for Nigerian health insurance schemes
• Telemedicine: Integrated virtual consultation capabilities
• Modern UI: Clean, contemporary user interface

Where Helium Health falls short:

• Internet Dependency: HeliumOS is cloud-first, which is problematic in areas with unreliable connectivity
• SaaS Pricing: Monthly subscription model that creates ongoing costs for hospitals with tight budgets
• Nigeria-Centric: While expanding, the platform is heavily optimized for Nigeria and may lack features needed in other African markets
• Limited Offline Mode: Minimal functionality when internet connection is lost
• No Mobile Money: Limited integration with mobile payment platforms popular across East and Southern Africa
• Single Currency Focus: Primarily designed for naira-based transactions
• Scalability Costs: Subscription fees increase significantly as hospitals grow and add users

Key Differences Between Helium Health and Alternatives

Connectivity Architecture

The most critical difference for African hospitals is connectivity architecture. HeliumOS requires consistent internet to function properly, which presents challenges for hospitals outside major urban centers. The best alternatives offer hybrid architectures that work seamlessly offline and sync when connectivity is available.

Pricing Philosophy

Helium Health follows the Western SaaS model with per-user monthly subscriptions. For a 50-bed hospital with 20 users, this can quickly become expensive. Alternatives with one-time licensing models offer better long-term value for hospitals that want predictable costs.

Geographic Versatility

While Helium Health excels in Nigeria, hospitals in East Africa, Southern Africa, or francophone West Africa may find that the platform lacks localization for their specific needs, currencies, and regulatory requirements.

Top Helium Health Alternatives for Africa

1. HospitalOS by MedSoftwares - Best Comprehensive Alternative

HospitalOS is a full-featured hospital management system designed specifically for healthcare facilities in developing markets, with strong capabilities across all of Africa.

Key Advantages:

• Offline-First Architecture: Full functionality without internet, automatic sync when connected
• One-Time Payment: No monthly subscriptions, own your software outright
• Multi-Currency Support: Handle naira, cedi, shilling, franc, rand, and 20+ currencies natively
• Mobile Money Integration: Built-in M-Pesa, MTN Mobile Money, Airtel Money, and other platforms
• Comprehensive Modules: EHR, billing, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, HR, and accounting in one system
• Pan-African Coverage: Deployed in 30+ countries across Africa
• Multi-Language Support: English, French, Portuguese, Swahili, and more
• Patient Portal: Online appointment booking and results access
• NHIA Integration: Compatible with Nigerian NHIA and other national insurance schemes

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2. Medixcel EMR

Hospital management platform with growing African presence.

Strengths:

• Patient management focus
• Appointment scheduling
• Basic EHR features
• Mobile application

Limitations:

• Limited modules compared to comprehensive HMS
• Smaller support team
• Internet dependent
• Basic reporting

3. OpenMRS

Open-source medical records system.

Strengths:

• Free and open source
• Large community
• Highly customizable
• Strong in research settings

Limitations:

• Requires technical expertise to deploy
• No built-in billing or POS
• Steep learning curve
• Limited vendor support

4. Slade 360 (DAMU)

Kenyan health technology platform.

Strengths:

• Strong East African presence
• Insurance claims management
• Cloud-based accessibility
• Integration with Kenyan NHIF

Limitations:

• Kenya-focused
• Subscription pricing
• Internet required
• Limited offline capability

Feature Comparison

| Feature | Helium Health (HeliumOS) | HospitalOS | OpenMRS | Slade 360 | |---|---|---|---|---| | Electronic Health Records | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Offline Mode | Limited | Full | Partial | No | | One-Time Pricing | No | Yes | Free (OSS) | No | | Mobile Money Integration | Limited | Yes | No | Partial | | Multi-Currency | Limited | Yes (20+) | No | Limited | | Pharmacy Module | Yes | Yes | Plugin | Yes | | Laboratory Module | Yes | Yes | Plugin | Yes | | Radiology/Imaging | Partial | Yes | Plugin | Limited | | HR & Payroll | Limited | Yes | No | No | | Accounting Integration | Partial | Yes | No | Partial | | Bed Management | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | | Telemedicine | Yes | Yes | No | Limited | | Patient Portal | Yes | Yes | No | Limited | | Insurance Claims | Yes (Nigeria) | Yes (Multi-country) | No | Yes (Kenya) | | Multi-Language | Limited | Yes (5+) | Yes | Limited | | SMS Notifications | Yes | Yes | Plugin | Yes | | API Integration | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Countries Active | ~6 | 30+ | 40+ | ~3 |

Pricing Comparison

| Solution | Pricing Model | Estimated Annual Cost (50-bed hospital) | Total 3-Year Cost | |---|---|---|---| | Helium Health | Per-user SaaS | $6,000-$18,000/year | $18,000-$54,000 | | HospitalOS | One-Time License | $1,999-$4,999 one-time | $1,999-$4,999 | | OpenMRS | Free (Open Source) | $0 (software) + $5,000-$15,000 (implementation) | $5,000-$20,000 | | Slade 360 | Subscription | $4,800-$12,000/year | $14,400-$36,000 |

HospitalOS delivers the strongest value proposition for mid-size hospitals, with a one-time cost that is often less than a single year of subscription-based alternatives.

Why Hospitals Switch from Helium Health

Based on feedback from hospital administrators across Africa, these are the most common reasons for seeking HeliumOS alternatives:

1. Connectivity Issues: Hospitals outside Lagos, Abuja, and other major cities struggle with HeliumOS's internet dependency
2. Escalating Costs: SaaS subscriptions become expensive as hospitals scale, add departments, or increase staff
3. Geographic Expansion: Hospital groups expanding beyond Nigeria need software that works across borders and currencies
4. Mobile Payment Needs: East and Southern African hospitals need deep mobile money integration that Helium Health does not provide
5. Comprehensive Needs: Some hospitals need integrated accounting, HR, and payroll that go beyond clinical features
6. Data Sovereignty: Hospitals want their data stored locally rather than on external cloud servers

Migration Considerations

Switching from Helium Health to an alternative requires careful planning. Key considerations include:

• Data Migration: Ensure your new system can import patient records, financial data, and clinical history from HeliumOS
• Staff Training: Budget for retraining clinical and administrative staff
• Parallel Running: Run both systems simultaneously for 2-4 weeks to ensure data integrity
• Integration Points: Map existing integrations (lab equipment, insurance, payment systems) to the new platform
• Timeline: Plan for a 4-8 week transition period for a smooth migration

HospitalOS includes a dedicated migration toolkit and support team to help hospitals transition from Helium Health and other platforms with minimal disruption.

Verdict

Helium Health has done important work in digitizing healthcare across West Africa, and HeliumOS remains a solid option for internet-connected hospitals in Nigeria. However, for hospitals that need offline reliability, broader African coverage, mobile money support, and predictable one-time pricing, HospitalOS is the superior choice. Its comprehensive module set, multi-currency support, and offline-first architecture make it the most versatile hospital management system for Africa in 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can HospitalOS handle the same clinical workflows as Helium Health?

Yes. HospitalOS includes comprehensive clinical workflow management including patient registration, triage, consultations, clinical notes, prescriptions, lab orders, imaging requests, and discharge summaries. The system supports customizable clinical templates and department-specific workflows that match or exceed HeliumOS capabilities.

How does HospitalOS work offline when Helium Health requires internet?

HospitalOS uses an offline-first architecture where all data is stored locally on your hospital's server. Clinical staff can register patients, record consultations, process lab results, dispense medications, and generate bills entirely offline. When internet connectivity is restored, data automatically syncs with the cloud backup. This ensures zero downtime regardless of internet conditions.

Is it possible to migrate patient records from HeliumOS to HospitalOS?

Yes. HospitalOS provides a structured data migration process. Patient demographics, medical histories, and financial records can be exported from HeliumOS and imported into HospitalOS using standard data formats. The MedSoftwares migration team provides hands-on support throughout the process, typically completing full migrations within 2-4 weeks.

Does HospitalOS support Nigerian NHIA and other African insurance schemes?

Yes. HospitalOS includes built-in support for Nigeria's National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) claims processing, as well as insurance schemes in Kenya (NHIF/SHA), Ghana (NHIS), Tanzania (NHIF), and other African countries. The system handles tariff management, pre-authorization, claims submission, and reconciliation across multiple insurance providers simultaneously.

What kind of support does MedSoftwares provide compared to Helium Health?

MedSoftwares offers multiple support channels including live chat, email, phone, and remote desktop assistance. For hospitals in key markets, on-site support and training are available. Unlike subscription models where support quality may depend on your payment tier, HospitalOS includes comprehensive support during the first year with all license tiers, and affordable annual support plans thereafter.