Dr Ola Brown: A Force Behind Transforming Healthcare in West Africa 

When you witness someone turning their personal tragedy into a catalyst for transformative change, it’s nothing short of inspiring. 

In this issue of Chief Original Gangstar, our COG, Dr Ola Brown, born Olamide Orekunrin in 1986, embodies this spirit of resilience and innovation. She’s not just a medical doctor; she’s a healthcare entrepreneur on a mission to transform healthcare access in West Africa. In this issue, we will spotlight how, as the founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, the first air ambulance service in the region, she’s bringing urgent medical care to remote areas that were once beyond reach.

Dr Ola’s journey began in London, where she pursued her medical degree at Hull York Medical School. After gaining experience in acute medicine in the UK, she went on to Tokyo on a Japanese MEXT scholarship, exploring lab-based research with induced pluripotent stem cells. But it was a tragic event that changed her career path forever. When her sister’s critical illness during their trip to Nigeria resulted in her death due to the lack of accessible medical care, determined to prevent such tragedies, Dr Ola set out to bridge the gap in emergency medical services.

Flying Doctors Nigeria was born out of this determination. Established in 2007, the company provides urgent medical evacuation and healthcare services via air ambulance, covering over 100 countries and responding to thousands of urgent care requests. With a mixed fleet of aircraft and a team of skilled professionals, Dr Ola’s company has saved countless lives, transporting patients with a range of critical conditions, from road traffic trauma to bomb blast injuries, to the care they urgently need.

But Dr Ola’s vision extends beyond emergency response. She’s also the founder of the Flying Doctors Healthcare Investment Company (FDHIC), which invests across the African healthcare and wellness value chain. From hospital construction to pharmaceutical retail, FDHIC is committed to improving healthcare infrastructure and access across the continent.

Outside of her entrepreneurial endeavours, Dr Ola is a passionate advocate for innovation and education in healthcare. She’s authored multiple books and reports, sharing her expertise in emergency medicine and healthcare policy. As an international speaker, she’s championed African innovation on prestigious platforms like the TED Global Conference and the World Economic Forum.

Before you ask, we’d like to inform you that Dr Ola’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed. She’s been honoured with numerous awards, including recognition from the World Economic Forum as a Young Global Leader. Her commitment to transforming healthcare in West Africa has earned her respect and admiration from across the globe. If there is a list of people very much deserving of the COG title, she would be at the top of that list. That is why you are reading this article.