Why an Ethiopian nurse swapped her scrubs for software
Medanit is a digital healthcare platform that is aiming to make healthcare easier to access in Ethiopia.
In a hospital emergency ward, a three-hour delay searching for prescribed medication can be fatal. In 2020, nurse Beamlak Alemayehu observed patients losing critical hours moving from pharmacy to pharmacy just to locate essential drugs and tests in an Ethiopian public emergency room. This experience compelled her to establish Medanit, a digital healthcare platform in 2022 to streamline access to medical services.
Initially, Medanit served as a directory; however, it evolved into a comprehensive system encompassing appointments, telemedicine, medication delivery, and hospital management tools. Alemayehu encountered significant resistance from clinics and pharmacies, as most still operated on manual paper ledgers. Consequently, she undertook the development of hospital management software, electronic medical records (EMR), pharmacy logistics, and a dedicated call center to assist rural populations lacking smartphones.
Currently, Medanit has integrated over 520 doctors, attracted 1.2 million visitors, and received support from the Bayer Foundation for future expansion into Rwanda and Zambia.
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