AFRICARE ACCESS

CAREER

ABOUT US

Founder's Message

Welcome to ACA. Our journey began with a simple yet powerful idea: to make modern medical imaging accessible to everyone, regardless of economic status. We believe that providing these vital services can significantly impact the health and well-being of communities across Africa. The primary reason for founding this company is moral; it is unbearable that most societies should suffer, be disabled, be forced to pay a high out-of-pocket price, have ill health, or face preventable death for reasons that an accessible and affordable healthcare system could have addressed. There are less than 1,200 MRIs in Africa, with a population of 1.5 billion people, compared to 12,000 MRIs in the US, with a population of 350 million. Besides, the few imaging centers in Africa are not strategically located; they are clustered in the capital cities, leaving a large part of the continent a medical imaging desert. For instance, in Ethiopia, there are less than 20 MRIs in the country, and 85% are in the capital city, creating healthcare service inequality. For a patient in the southwest of Ethiopia, modern imaging services are as far removed from reality as the distant capital, over 300 miles away, a two-day trip by bus, which had the only MRI machine in the country. This journey for the patient and their families isn’t just a matter of distance but a journey through layers of hardship.
Saving for months to afford the travel, the MRI cost, and accommodation in the city, they face a financial burden that no family should endure for essential healthcare. Yet, this is the reality for millions in Ethiopia and many African countries, where modern imaging services are a luxury beyond reach, clustered in the capital, far from those in dire need. People are forced to travel to the capital city to get the imaging service, exposing them to financial crises. Establishing and maintaining modern imaging service-providing centers in Africa benefits the community and society. I envision significantly lower imaging service prices for payers to help society reduce out-of-pocket expenses and provide services at no cost for underserved communities. Establishing the service has benefits beyond financial gains. It helps create networking and allows local radiologists to exchange experiences with other universities to advance their knowledge and skills. The project will also collaborate with universities to enhance radiology training programs for providers, technologists, and technicians and actively participate in research activities through local and international collaboration and funding. It will increase the accessibility of imaging services in the country, improve the quality of healthcare services, and help providers receive timely results.

Enhancing Local Skills and Ensuring Health Equity for All

Every scan we conduct not only impacts the individual but also ripples through their community. We enhance the skills of local healthcare professionals, fostering a future where health equity is the norm, not the exception.
CAREER

Company Overview

ACA is dedicated to bridging the healthcare gap in Africa through cutting-edge imaging technology and exceptional patient care. Our mission is not just about making modern medical imaging services accessible and affordable. It’s about transforming lives and being the beacon of hope for those in dire need of quality healthcare. We aim to be the landmark training and research center for radiology services in Ethiopia and across Africa, establishing one center in one African country each year. Our vision is not just a distant dream; it’s a lighthouse of hope. We envision a future where Africa is not a medical imaging desert but a land of equitable access to modern imaging services. A future where no one is left behind due to lack of healthcare resources. This vision is not just a goal; it’s a call to action. We invite you to join us in this inspiring journey towards its realization. Together, we can make this vision a reality.
Our core values, encapsulated in the acronym “I CARE”-Innovation, Compassion, Advocacy, Research, and Engagement, are not just words on a page. They are the driving force behind our every action, our commitment to giving back to society. We challenge the status quo, pioneer new ways of service delivery through compassion, actively involve providers in research, and engage society in advanced healthcare services. These values are not just a part of our mission, but the very essence of our company, ensuring that we stay true to our vision and mission.

TEAM MEMBERS

Our leadership team

Birhanu H. Dolango

M.D, MHL

Birhanu H. Dolango, M.D., MHL, leads with a passion for innovation and excellence. With over ten years of experience as an attending neurosurgeon and hospital director, Dr. Dolango has played a pivotal role in establishing a medical school and neurosurgery department in Ethiopia. He has also served as the director of a university hospital and executive director of the AFEI diagnostics center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Dr. Dolango brings diverse experience as an academician, researcher, consultant neurosurgeon, and healthcare leader to our team. He is renowned for his expertise in forward-thinking.

Fikreslasie Gizaw Megersa

BSc

Fikreslasie Gizaw Megersa, BSc, brings eighteen years of extensive experience in the aviation industry. He has operated international and domestic passenger and cargo aircraft to over 150 destinations worldwide. His roles have included Captain, Check Airman for B777/787 and B737-700/800, Boeing Fleet Manager for B737NG, B757/767, and B787/777, and First Officer. He is a seasoned Flight and Simulator Instructor and Check Airman, renowned for his excellent communication and interpersonal skills, proactive problem-solving abilities, and team-oriented approach.

Wondimagegnehu Negera

MBA Distinguished Financial Expert

Wondimagegnehu Negera is a renowned financial expert with over two decades of extensive experience in the banking and financial sectors. Currently, he serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Ethiopian Commodities Exchange (ECX), where his visionary leadership and strategic acumen have been pivotal to the institution’s success. Recently appointed by Ethiopia’s Prime Minister to helm the Ethiopian Capital Market Authority, Wondimagegnehu’s exceptional leadership and expertise are widely recognized, cementing his reputation as one of the country’s foremost financial gurus.

Prof. Mulatu Fekadu Zerihun

Ph.D, DBA

Prof. Mulatu Fekadu Zerihun, Ph.D., DBA, brings over two decades of diverse experience to our team. As an accomplished academician, researcher, and consultant, he is renowned for his expertise in systems thinking and business strategy. Prof. Zerihun is a creative problem solver, excellent communicator, skillful negotiator, and adept organizer. His ability to easily navigate diverse cultural and socio-political business environments is a testament to his versatility and adaptability. Committed to pursuing a Christian way of life, Prof. Zerihun exemplifies integrity and dedication in his professional.

Stephen C. Schoenbaum

M.D, MPH

Stephen C. Schoenbaum, M.D., MPH, Special Advisor to the CEO: now retired, had served as a Special Advisor to the President at the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation. With a rich career in healthcare, he previously served as Executive Vice President for Programs at The Commonwealth Fund and Executive Director of its Commission on a High-Performance Health System. He was also President of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care of New England and Deputy Medical Director at Harvard Community Health Plan. Dr. Schoenbaum was pivotal in developing HEDIS, specialty services, disease management programs.

Ambassador Dr. Desta WoldeYohannes Delkasso

M.D, MPH

Ambassador Dr. Desta WoldeYohannes Delkasso, M.D., MPH, brings over 25 years of experience as a public health expert to our team. She has served as Ethiopia's ambassador in North America and multiple African countries, showcasing her leadership on an international stage. Dr. Desta's extensive background ensures efficient and effective project management, enabling the project to adhere to planned schedules. Her leadership and expertise will be instrumental in guiding the team and ensuring our initiative’s successful implementation and operation.

Yared Kinfe

BA

Yared Kinfe brings over 26 years of aviation experience as a Captain and Flight Instructor with Ethiopian Airlines. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of South Africa and a Pilot Training Diploma from Ethiopian Aviation University. Yared's extensive career in aviation has equipped him with exceptional leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. His dedication to excellence and safety and his ability to mentor and guide others showcase his commitment to achieving high standards in all his endeavors. In addition to his aviation career, Yared has joined our team in establishing state-of-the-art imaging centers across Africa.