Ask a child growing up in Ghana in the late 1990s or early 2000s what they hoped to become in the future, and chances are the answers would have been simple: A doctor.
For Dr. Patrick Annan-Noonoo, that dream did not change even though life led him through other paths first.
His academic journey led him to study Business at St. Augustine’s College rather than medicine. This however did not make Patrick shift his passion of being a doctor.
Patrick is currently a co-founder of ExpressMed, a telemedicine platform that is changing how people access healthcare by connecting patients to medical professionals through technology. He is in together with Dr. Martin Turkson and Aaron Nathan Adom.
In an interview with Business and Financial Times’ (B&FT) Christabel, Patrick disclosed that he believes his childhood dream of taking care of the vulnerable did not disappear— but simply evolved.
“I wanted to become a doctor, but I now realize my purpose may have been larger than treating individual patients. It was about improving healthcare access and wellbeing for many people,” he noted.
That sense of purpose has become the driving force behind his entrepreneurial journey.
Identifying the gaps
Before the launch of ExpressMed, Patrick spent more than a decade working within Ghana’s healthcare sector. He initially served as a hospital administrator in a private healthcare facility and later took over the position as a medical records manager and health data analyst in the public sector.
According to the founder, these experiences gave him a rare perspective on the healthcare system from both the administrative and patient sides.
Every day, he encountered stories that left a lasting impression: Patients travelling long distances to seek health care, spending hours in queues, postponing treatment because of cost or inconvenience, and struggling to access specialists when they needed them most.
The more he observed these challenges, the more he became convinced that he needed to take innovative steps to bridge this gap.
Watching how technology keeps transforming the everyday life, Patrick asked himself a simple question: If technology could simplify so many aspects of life, why couldn’t it make healthcare more accessible too?
“That question eventually became the foundation of ExpressMed,” Patrick told B&FT.
Turning an idea into reality
Like many successful startups, ExpressMed was not born overnight. The idea was developed gradually through years of observation, learning and reflection.
Patrick repeatedly encountered three key problems within the healthcare sector: Accessibility, speed and confidentiality.
Dr. Annan-Noonoo mentioned that people were unable to seek care quickly and conveniently – while others felt uncomfortable discussing sensitive health issues in traditional settings.
Building the solution was far from easy
The early months were filled with uncertainty, long hours and countless adjustments. Dr. and his team spent time studying patient needs, understanding healthcare regulations and learning from telemedicine models around the world.
“It was exciting and challenging at the same time. “We were constantly learning, refining the platform and convincing people that virtual healthcare could be trusted,” he recalled.
The challenge of building trust
For Patrick, the biggest challenge was not just developing technology—it was earning trust.
Healthcare is deeply personal, and many people were initially skeptical about receiving care remotely according to him.
Winning over both patients and healthcare professionals required patience and persistence.
“There were moments of doubt. But every time I reflected on the problem we were trying to solve and the lives we could impact, it strengthened my resolve.” he admitted.
The journey also demanded significant sacrifices. There were late nights, financial commitments and difficult choices. Yet he remained focused on the long-term vision.
Gradually, Patrick begun to earn the trust of his as patients experienced the convenience and reliability of the platform for themselves.
Purpose beyond profit
While ExpressMed is a business, Patrick views it first as a solution to a social challenge.
He spoke passionately about healthcare equity and the need to ensure that access to quality medical care is not determined by geography or income level.
One of the features he is most proud of is the platform’s ability to connect patients with healthcare professionals regardless of where they are located.
For someone living in a remote community or unable to travel long distances, that connection can make a significant difference.
Every patient success story reinforces the mission that inspired the company in the first place.
A vision for Africa
Dr. believes Africa’s healthcare future will be shaped by innovation.
While challenges such as affordability, workforce shortages and unequal access to healthcare remain significant, he sees technology as a powerful tool for bridging those gaps.
A bold vision
Over the next decade, he hopes to see ExpressMed become one of Africa’s leading digital healthcare platforms, serving millions of people and helping redefine how healthcare is delivered across the continent.
Beyond business growth and expansion, what matters most to him is impact.
“I want to be remembered as someone who used innovation to make healthcare more accessible, more human and more inclusive,” he noted.
For him, success is not measured only in numbers. It is measured in lives improved, barriers removed and opportunities created.
And for the young boy who once dreamed of becoming a doctor, helping millions gain access to healthcare may prove to be the most meaningful form of healing of all.
The ExpressMed app is available for download on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, enabling users to conveniently access its healthcare services from their mobile devices.
His email is [email protected]
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