Skip to content Skip to footer
Impact Stories

Saglan Wajee Hospital: Revolutionizing Healthcare Insurance in Ethiopia

The Challenge

Poor Quality Health care

In rural Ethiopia, thousands of families face financial barriers to healthcare. In Holeta Town, Oromia, Saglan Wajee General Hospital recognized this gap and set out to become Ethiopia’s first full-fledged health insurance provider.

Quality healthcare should never depend on your bank balance.

Solution

The BimaLab Solution

Through the BimaLab Insurtech Accelerator, Saglan Wajee gained:
• Venture-building expertise
• Exposure to leading insurers like Jubilee & AAR in Kenya
• Regulatory access to Ethiopia’s National Bank after 14 years without new health insurance licenses

Result

The Result

The result? Efoy 1.0—a micro-health insurance product for low- and middle-income families, covering essential medical services at affordable premiums.

Impact in Action

We build a better digital future.

Meet Nurae Gutu Chala – a café owner who insures her children for as little as 400 birr ($4) annually. Even after premiums rose to 960 birr ($9.50), her family renewed—valuing new benefits like MRI and medication coverage.

0+
Insured lives covered so far

Saglan Wajee has already protected more than 2,100 individuals, giving families peace of mind and access to quality care.

0 years
of regulatory silence broken to issue their license

After 14 years without new health insurance approvals, Saglan Wajee’s license marks a historic breakthrough in Ethiopia’s healthcare sector.

VISION

The Vision Ahead

VISION

Inspired by China’s 95% health insurance coverage model, Dr. Raei envisions Saglan Wajee as a regional leader in healthcare access—transforming the insurance landscape and ensuring no family is left behind.