Client Overview
MedAccess exists to address one of the world’s most urgent health equity challenges: the fact that more than two billion people cannot access the medicines they need. Through innovative finance, MedAccess works with manufacturers, procurers, donors and global health partners to reduce risk, shape markets and accelerate access to critical healthcare products.
Its model sits at the intersection of global health, finance, development and market transformation. This makes governance particularly important. MedAccess requires board leaders who can bring strategic judgement, deep understanding of health systems, development finance, emerging markets and the complex partnerships required to improve access to healthcare at scale.
MedAccess’ Board is responsible for oversight and governance, with members bringing expertise across finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, global public health and investment.
TheBoardroom Africa’s Engagement
TheBoardroom Africa’s relationship with MedAccess began in 2018, during an important phase in the organisation’s development.
MedAccess needed a board member who could contribute to the governance of a mission-driven organisation operating across global health and innovative finance.
The mandate required a leader who understood healthcare systems in emerging markets, could bring credibility in development and public health, and could contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s strategic direction as it scaled its impact.
TheBoardroom Africa supported the appointment of:
Dr Egbe Osifo-Dawodu
Board Member
Dr Osifo-Dawodu brought extensive experience across health systems, emerging markets, development institutions and digital health. Her appointment strengthened MedAccess’ board with relevant African and global health expertise at a critical stage of the organisation’s growth.
In 2024, TheBoardroom Africa was again engaged to support board succession following Dr Osifo-Dawodu’s tenure. The mandate required continuity of mission, while also bringing fresh perspective aligned with MedAccess’ next phase of work.
TheBoardroom Africa supported the appointment of:
Dr Angela Gichaga
Board Member
Dr Gichaga is a public and social sector leader with experience across civil service, management consulting, NGOs and academia. She serves as Global President and CEO of the Financing Alliance for Health, where she works with Ministries of Health and Finance to develop resilient and sustainably financed primary and community health systems.
Her appointment added further depth in health financing, systems strengthening, public sector engagement and leadership across African and global health contexts.
MedAccess publicly noted Angela Gichaga among the board appointments made in 2024, highlighting that these appointments added expertise in global health and development, innovative finance and the pharmaceutical industry.
Outcomes and Impact
TheBoardroom Africa’s work with MedAccess reflects the value of long-term, trust-based board advisory relationships.
The first appointment, Dr Egbe Osifo-Dawodu in 2018, helped strengthen MedAccess’ board with the perspective of an experienced African health systems and development leader during the organisation’s early growth phase. MedAccess’ 2024 Annual Review acknowledges Dr Osifo-Dawodu among the departing board members who contributed dedication, strategic vision and collaboration during the organisation’s start-up and growth phases.
The 2024 appointment of Dr Angela Gichaga supported thoughtful board renewal, ensuring that MedAccess continued to benefit from leadership deeply grounded in health financing, systems change and public-sector partnership. This succession also demonstrates TheBoardroom Africa’s ability not only to identify high-calibre board talent, but to support governance continuity over time.
Together, these appointments contributed to MedAccess’ access to board leaders with the experience, credibility and contextual understanding needed to support a complex, mission-led organisation working across Africa, South Asia and global health markets.
Conclusion
TheBoardroom Africa’s partnership with MedAccess demonstrates our ability to support board composition and succession for organisations operating at the intersection of impact, finance and healthcare.
From the appointment of Dr Egbe Osifo-Dawodu in 2018 to the appointment of Dr Angela Gichaga in 2024, TheBoardroom Africa has helped MedAccess access exceptional African and global health leadership aligned with its mission to accelerate access to life-saving health products.
This case study reflects the strength of TheBoardroom Africa’s network, our understanding of mission-driven governance, and our ability to support clients with board talent that brings both strategic insight and deep contextual relevance.